tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19178700484462643352024-03-27T19:53:25.198-04:00X-men SupremeX-men Supreme Official Blog.
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Home to updates for the X-men Supreme fanfiction series.Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.comBlogger1845125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-12840769813078039752018-09-14T05:37:00.000-04:002018-09-14T05:37:33.735-04:00X-men Supreme Issue 174: Disillusion is LIVE! (And A Supreme Announcement)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKflWeNqGIYLavWuIeA75isSJfaLr06wHI57G6K54CPsTB31g4Ar7Ix797Neo-JOK2OJaxhlHKJKUjqynVKz8g8MIXXtvXuB0OwvfxO3gjakEgg9uEWPJwCvxXc_4zZ0LsdwZB4N0QDM/s1600/X-men+Supreme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="800" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKflWeNqGIYLavWuIeA75isSJfaLr06wHI57G6K54CPsTB31g4Ar7Ix797Neo-JOK2OJaxhlHKJKUjqynVKz8g8MIXXtvXuB0OwvfxO3gjakEgg9uEWPJwCvxXc_4zZ0LsdwZB4N0QDM/s320/X-men+Supreme.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Before I say anything about the latest issue, I want to make a quick
announcement. After giving it plenty of thought, I’ve decided <b>this issue will act as the last issue of the X-men Supreme fanfiction series</b>,
at least for now. That’s not to say that this is the definitive end of
X-men Supreme. For now, assume that this fanfiction series will be on
an extended hiatus. I cannot say whether it’ll be temporary or
permanent, but I feel like the time has come to step away from this
fanfiction series.<br />
<br />
That said, I can say more definitively that this is the
end of X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided. The High
Evolutionary has been defeated. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
made the ultimate sacrifice to save a world which he still believes
mutants must dominate. His vision, even though it frequently clashed
with <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier’s</a>, is not dead. It is simply in the hands of a new generation led by his daughter, the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/scarlet_witch.php">Scarlet Witch</a>. A world without <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> is full of uncertainty, but plenty of promise as well.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> arc wasn’t just an end to <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a>
story. It was the culmination of a process that began in the earliest
issues of X-men Supreme Volume 1: Mutant Revolution. For <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>,
the status of mutants was untenable. He was not about to let humanity
oppress his kind. He saw what that sort of oppression led to and was
going to cross any line to stop it, even if that put him at odds with
the X-men. Throughout the course of X-men Supreme, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> has never abandoned that vision. Now, it must carry on without him.<br />
<br />
The world he leaves behind is intact, but still
vulnerable. Humans and mutants alike have been stripped of the defenses
they once relied on, thanks to the events of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a>. There’s also a new continent in the middle of the Pacific Ocean thanks to <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a>
sacrifice. Unlike Genosha, though, this isn’t just another mutant
haven. The mutants on what was once Asteroid M must share it with <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i173.php">the former humans that the High Evolutionary mutated</a>.
Whether or not these individuals will share the values of the mutant
race remains to be seen, but there are already ominous signs brewing.<br />
<br />
In this new world, the Mutant Monitoring Initiative that
drove so many conflicts throughout X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and
Divided is no more. Both <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/general_grimshaw.php">General Grimshaw</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly</a> saw first-hand as this well-intentioned plan nearly destroyed the entire world. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>
thought that he could align his dreams of peace with this plan. He was
wrong and it was only by breaking it that the X-men were able to help
save the world. While his dream and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly’s</a> agenda are still shaken, they are not completely lost.<br />
<br />
This is a time of reflection and reform. The world of
X-men Supreme is still full of humans and mutants who long for peace.
Time and again, they’ve seen renegade mutants like <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> pursue violent confrontation. They’ve also seen deranged humans like <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/sinister.php">Mr. Sinister</a>
use mutation to inflict mass death. There’s no shortage of hate,
mistrust, and threats on both sides. For the sake of a better world,
they must work together moving forward.<br />
<br />
That’s the primary goal of the final issue of X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided. The divisions that began in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v6i148.php">X-men Supreme Issue 148: New Divide</a> must be mended. For <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier’s</a>
vision to remain intact, the X-men must be made whole again. While
it’s impossible to go back to the way things were, it’s necessary to
bring the team together once more. The same goes for the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/scarlet_witch.php">Scarlet Witch</a>
and the Brotherhood of Mutants. There are many deep scars that need to
heal, but there are just as many opportunities to forge a new path.<br />
<br />
As the X-men and the Brotherhood go about rebuilding their vision, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/general_grimshaw.php">General Grimshaw</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly</a>
have some hard decisions to make as well. The nature of those decisions
will set the tone for the future of humanity as well. Like mutants,
there’s plenty of hope in that future. It’s just a matter of how they
go about it. The same can be said for the X-men and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>.
There are still unresolved issues, but the key to moving forward all
comes back to hope and that’s what this final issue will convey.<br />
<h2 align="center">
<b><a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i174.php">X-men Supreme Issue 174: Disillusion</a></b></h2>
As I said before, this issue marks the end for the X-men
Supreme fanfiction series, at least for now. After a long, eventful
journey that included <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i17.php">uprisings</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v3i52.php">sewer-dwelling societies</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v3i63.php">cosmic forces</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v6i137.php">alien tyrants</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">long-lost fathers</a>, and so much more, I’m ready to cap off the story of X-men Supreme for now. This vast world that <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i1.php">I began developing in January 2010</a> has grown in ways I never imagined. I can honestly say I’m proud of how it has played out.<br />
<br />
I feel like this is a good place to leave the mythos of
this fanfiction series. I understand that some aspects of this final
issue leave things open for another volume, but I’m not sure I have the
energy to pursue it at this point. That may change at a later time. If
I get enough feedback and support, I will certainly consider
re-opening X-men Supreme for more stories. I may even add in a few
tie-ins, be they one-shots or minis. For the moment, though, I intend
to take a break from the world of X-men Supreme.<br />
<br />
To all the wonderful people who have been following this
fanfiction series and supporting it every step of the way, I sincerely
thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I never could’ve
taken X-men Supreme this far without you. I sincerely hope you have
enjoyed this uncanny journey. Even as this fanfiction series ends, I’d
still love to hear from you. Send me your feedback by <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/contact.php">contacting me</a> or <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/comments.php?write=v7i174">posting your comments</a>. I’m still happy to chat.<br />
<br />
For now, though, this is it. This is the end. Again, thank you for experiencing the world of X-men Supreme with me. Xcelsior!<br />
<br />
JackJack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-17412868399455668772018-09-13T14:49:00.001-04:002018-09-13T14:49:17.829-04:00Time (Inevitably) Runs Out: X-men Blue #35The following is my review of<i> X-men Blue #35,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/xmen-blue-35-marvel-2604216246.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
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Certain time-displaced, alternate universe, or cloned characters never wear out their welcome. Time paradoxes aside, someone like Cable is here to stay. Josh Brolin's role in <i>Deadpool 2</i> and Dafne Keen's role in <i>Logan </i>effectively cements that. Those are rare exceptions, though. For the most part, characters derived from others or a byproduct time travel have an expiration date. It's arguable when that date was for the original five X-men who first came to the future in <i>All-New X-men</i>, but most agree that date has long since passed.<br />
<br />
Pretty much every circumstance that kept the time-displaced X-men in the future is moot at this point. Jean Grey is no longer dead. Cyclops never causes a mutant genocide. Iceman doesn't stay in the closet. Angel never loses his wings. At one point, there are legitimate barriers keeping them in the future, which play out in <i>X-men: Battle of the Atom</i>. However, most of those barriers crumble throughout Cullen Bunn's run on <i>X-men Blue</i>. They're now at a point where they not only have the ability to go back. They accept that they must go back.<br />
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While the logistics of that story play out in <i>Extermination</i>, there's room for reflections and reconciliations. <i>X-men Blue #35</i> doesn't act as a prelude to <i>Extermination </i>as much as it does an epilogue to the journey that Brian Michael Bendis began in <i>All-New X-men</i>. These characters, despite the many myriad of complications incurred by time travel, are in a very different place than they were when they first arrived. Some improve their situations. Some see it become much worse. In any case, they're all painfully aware of the headaches generated by time travel.<br />
<br />
No matter their status, these iconic characters are no longer the wide-eyed idealists that they were when Charles Xavier began training them. They've seen a future where ideals get tainted at every turn and spirits get broken almost as often. In doing so, these characters diverge considerably from the path they were on before. The structure of <i>X-men Blue #35</i> is built around each member of the time-displaced X-men confronting their future selves, but affirming that they're not the same person.<br />
<br />
The problem is they can't be the person they've become anymore. Beast makes clear that in order to avoid any further pitfalls relating to time travel, he and his fellow time-displaced X-men have to forget everything they've experienced during their time in the future. Going back with the knowledge they have, from who wins in every superhero civil war to who plays in every Super Bowl, has serious implications for the overall continuity of the Marvel universe. Given the many convolutions of that continuity, as it stands, the timeline just can't handle that.<br />
<br />
This makes for a strange, but intriguing tension between the characters. In each conversation they have with their future selves, they try to affirm they're their own person. However, they also acknowledge that they can't separate themselves from who they're destined to become. If they do, they break reality and after the events of <i>Secret Wars</i>, the timeline just can't handle that.<br />
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<br />
Each member of the time-displaced X-men deals with their own existential crisis, of sorts. Jean comes off as having a full-blown identity crisis, lamenting at how she feels false in the presence of her older self. To some extent, she's right. She and her teammates aren't the "true" version of the original five X-men at this point in the timeline. They're anomalies that have to disappear completely in order to keep reality intact. To them, though, going back to their own time doesn't mean resolving a long-standing time travel plot. It means erasing themselves from existence.<br />
<br />
It's actually Bobby who seems to understand this more than the others. For him, going back in time means going back to being closeted and that bothers him. It's one of those ideas that would bother anyone identifying as LGBT, having to go back to that isolated place and live a lie. Even though his older self is in a much better place in terms of accepting his identity, it doesn't make the underlying notion less distressing.<br />
<br />
That's the overall sentiment of each time-displaced character in <i>X-men Blue #35</i>. They agonize over the idea that everything they've done in the present will only serve those in the present. They still have to go back and endure all the hardships, heartaches, and losses. Despite accepting that they must return to their own time, they establish that their preference is to stay. Existing is just inherently more appealing to oblivion.<br />
<br />
While it's easy to sympathize with those feelings, Bunn belabors the consequences of following those feelings. Parallel to the interactions between the time-displaced X-men and their counterparts, there are brief flash-forwards that depict the future that unfolds if they don't go back. This side-story doesn't just link <i>X-men Blue #35</i> with the events of <i>Extermination</i>. It reveals the extent of the existential crisis the X-men face.<br />
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Even if going back to their own time is overdue, there are still a lot of problems that these characters want to resolve. Angel is still going to lose his mind and become a horseman of Apocalypse. Cyclops is still going to end up dead and vilified for all the wrong reasons. Beast is still going to end up a blue, furry ape man who plays fast and loose with time machines. Despite the many harsh realizations they've endured, they still retain that youthful idealism that defines the original five X-men.<br />
<br />
If that's the primary goal in <i>X-men Blue #35</i>, it definitely succeeds. In terms of furthering the various other plots that have been unfolding since <i>X-men Blue</i> began, it doesn't fail, but it comes up short. There's a lot of lamentation and frustration, but not much else. This being the penultimate issue of the series, there isn't time to tie up every loose end. However, that's the appeal/irony of time travel stories. If everything were resolved, then time travel wouldn't be necessary in the first place.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Final Score: 7 out of 10</u></b></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-57838508564817560232018-09-07T05:35:00.000-04:002018-09-07T05:35:28.076-04:00X-men Supreme Issue 174: Disillusion PREVIEW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The biggest, most significant upheaval in the X-men Supreme fanfiction series is complete. The <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> arc concluded and so too did <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> story. What began in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i3.php">X-men Supreme Issue 3: Competition</a> effectively ended in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i173.php">X-men Supreme Issue 173: High Evolution Part 5</a>. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
made his choice and his sacrifice. His vision for the mutant race is
no longer his to pursue. That burden now falls upon the shoulders of
his daughter, the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/scarlet_witch.php">Scarlet Witch</a>, and a reunited Brotherhood of Mutants. While his vision will continue, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> story has ended.<br />
<br />
Make no mistake. This is not a case where the fate of a
character is left ambiguous, as is often the case in the X-men comics. I
will confirm without ambiguity that <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
is dead. He will not be returning in future issues of X-men Supreme. I
never intended or wanted his story to drag out over time, constantly
fluctuating between the role of villain and anti-hero. It’s an aspect of
the X-men comics that I think is overdone. I had planned as far back
as the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v2i38.php">Overlord</a> arc to give <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> a definitive end in this fanfiction series. That end is now here.<br />
<br />
As such, the end of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> story represents a significant change for that of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>
and the X-men. After the world once again came to the brink of
annihilation, one thing is clear. The X-men can no longer remain
divided. The schism between <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a> that unfolded in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v6i148.php">X-men Supreme Issue 148: New Divide</a> cannot continue. The events of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a>
both show that the world needs a united X-men, now more than ever. As
the dust settles from this latest conflict, and all the lost that came
with it, a new era for the X-men will begin out of necessity.<br />
<br />
What does this mean for <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>? What does it mean for the Mutant Monitoring Initiative that both <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/general_grimshaw.php">General Grimshaw</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly</a> worked so hard to create? What does it mean for <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/jack_freeman.php">Captain Freeman</a>? What does it mean for <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/wolverine.php">Wolverine</a>, and X-Force? What does it mean for <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/jean_grey.php">Jean Grey</a>
now that she has her Phoenix powers back? What does it mean for Issac
and the impact that his death will have on those he influenced? These
are just some of the loose ends that I intend to resolve in the final
issue of X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided.<br />
<br />
It has been a tense, dramatic journey. When I began
X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided, I knew I was taking a
chance. Stories about divided X-men have been overdone in the comics in
recent years. However, I felt like this was a story that needed to
happen, if only to raise the stakes for <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier’s</a>
dream and the obstacles the X-men face. I didn’t intend for it to carry
beyond this volume. The X-men were always going to reunite, but the
scars left by the division will remain.<br />
Nothing can be the same. Relationships will change. The
very idea of what it means to be an X-man will change. Some parts of
the process will be bittersweet. Some will be heartfelt and humbling.<br />
<br />
Some will reflect the losses and gains that come with any conflict. In
the end, the X-men will continue doing what they’ve always done,
fighting for a world that hates and fears them. It’s just a matter of
how that fight will evolve in a world after <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a>
sacrifice. That world will take shape in this final issue. As always,
I’ve a preview of that emerging world for the X-men, their allies, and their enemies.<br />
<br />
<i>“So how’s that helmet and cape treating you?” asked Frenzy in a coarse tone, “It sure doesn’t mesh with your style.”<br /><br />“Beat it, Frenzy,” said Alex, who was standing next to Wanda with Lorna, “Don’t you have some rubble to bury yourself in?”<br /><br />“Excuse me for voicing concerns about my new home,” she quipped dryly, “I think I have a right to be a little crass when Magneto’s chosen successor looks like a deer in headlights.”<br /><br />“We’re not in space anymore. No one is forcing you to stay,” Alex pointed out.<br /><br />“I’m a wanted fugitive from White Cell who also got caught up in shady dealings with Black Tom. It’s either here or prison and I don’t do prison.”<br /><br />“And whose fault is that?” quipped Alex.<br /><br />“It’s no one’s fault,” said Wanda flatly, “Frenzy was caught up in this like the rest of us. She has as much right to stay here as any other mutant.”<br /><br />“I still don’t see why that makes her qualified to join the Brotherhood,” said Alex.<br /><br />“We’re low on manpower and she’s got the strength of fifty. Besides, I think I need the harsh criticism. I can’t afford to be arrogant at a time like this.”<br /><br />Frenzy sneered at Alex, who was held back from further remarks thanks to Lorna. She had a legitimate reason to be critical. She had been working with Blob, Unus, Pyro, and Kid Omega for the past few days now. They were part of a large-scale cleaning effort for City X and the rest of Asteroid M. From the crippled citadel, Wanda could see the extent of the devastation. Many buildings had been damaged. Some collapsed. Every mutant took part in the effort, but it wasn’t without complications.<br /><br />During the High Evolutionary’s attack, the million former humans did more than drive mutants into hiding. They created an atmosphere of mistrust. Hundreds had been injured during the attack. There were even reports of multiple deaths. That kind of hostility would make it difficult to rebuild. They had already failed on Genosha and Asteroid M was much bigger. They couldn’t afford to fail again, especially Magneto’s sacrifice.<br /><br />Wanda had been contemplating plans for Asteroid M all morning. The X-men helped them reestablish order, but they could not stick around. They had their own rebuilding to do. Someone needed to explain to the rest of the world what had happened here. For once the X-men had the easier task. At least they were united again. The same could not be said for Asteroid M.<br /><br />“Got some big news, sis. Looks like it’s worse than we thought,” said Pietro in his usual rushed tone as he came running in at high speeds.<br /><br />“I assume it’s bad news because it always is when you come running in like this,” said Wanda dryly.<br /><br />“It has the potential to be pretty fucking bad,” said the speedster, “All these pissed off former humans now have a new name. They’re calling themselves the Neo and they don’t seem interested in cooperating with mutants.”<br /><br />“The Neo? What kind of a name is that?” scoffed Frenzy.<br /><br />“It’s the name their new leader gave them. Remember that asshole, Vargas?”<br /><br />“Vargas? That guy was once a few levels below your typical junki?! Why the hell would anyone follow him?” questioned Alex.<br /><br />“It’s not terribly surprising. He was the first of his kind. He embodies what those 999,999 other humans once struggled with,” said Wanda distantly, “The High Evolutionary linked every one of them on a biological level. I wouldn’t be surprised if that link runs much deeper now that he’s gone.”<br /><br />She turned her attention towards the plaza just below the citadel. The area was set up as a makeshift medical area where Mellencamp, Mercury, Senyaka, and Scanner worked with their healer, Elixir, to treat wounded mutants. There was already a strong sense of animosity. One part of the plaza was reserved for mutants that had been in the crossfire during the High Evolutionary’s attack. The other was reserved for the Neo, who had few injured and no reported deaths. Neither group felt comfortable around one another. The Neo already seemed to be leaving City X in droves. It was a clear sign of things to come.<br /><br />“Before the X-men left, Professor Xavier warned me that growing into an ability was very different from simply gaining it,” Wanda went on, “Most mutants like us had to work at mastering our abilities. It helps us use them and appreciate them. But these Neo had everything done for them. The High Evolutionary just gave them their power without contemplating what it could do to them.”<br /><br />“Makes me feel even sicker that we didn’t find much of his body,” grumbled Pietro, “I would have loved just throwing it out into the ocean and feeding it to the sharks.”<br /><br />“In some ways they were the biggest victims,” added Wanda, “They were desperate people who were taken advantage of. They don’t know the value of their own power yet. I don’t see any of them helping us rebuild City X.”<br /><br />“I heard they may even build a city of their own,” said Pietro, “There are a million of them and only a few thousand of us, give or take. Asteroid M is a big place and they’re already drawing battle lines.”<br /><br />“Then I guess we’ll have to split time between fighting them and the humans that don’t like the idea of a new mutant continent,” said Alex.<br /><br />“Continent? I thought we were a country,” said Frenzy.<br /><br />“Genosha was just an island. Asteroid M isn’t just bigger. It has its own ecosystem. And unlike Genosha, we won’t have the luxury of Warlock technology to help us run it.”<br /><br />“Yet another reason why we should have let the X-men stay just so we could beat them up a bit,” said the speedster.<br /><br />“They also saved our lives in case you’ve forgotten,” Wanda pointed out, “Perhaps it’s a good thing that stopping the High Evolutionary also shut down the Warlock technology. We were growing too dependent on it. If mutants are to survive, we must rely on what makes us strong. We must show the Neo and the rest of the world that mutants can stand united. Father would have wanted it that way.”<br /><br />The mention of Magneto evoked a solemn tone in her voice. Pietro and Lorna shared her sorrow. The loss of their father was still sinking in. Even though Wanda wore his helmet and cape, his presence loomed large.<br /><br />“I like to think that Father trusts us to carry on his legacy…minus the wars and mass extinctions, of course,” said Lorna.<br /><br />“It’s not like he left us with nothing to build on,” said Alex, “We have a whole continent at our disposal along most of the world’s mutant population.”<br /><br />“That alone wouldn’t impress, Father. Maintaining it and making it stable for future generations would go much further,” said Wanda.<br /><br />“And you think we can do that with the Neo and the humans breathing down our neck?” said Frenzy.<br /><br />“We’re going to move forward under the assumption that it’s possible,” said Wanda, “More importantly, we’re not going to shut ourselves off. We still have allies that we can lean on for support.”<br /><br />“Are you talking about the X-men?” scoffed Pietro.<br /><br />“Or more specifically a certain X-man with blue fur, a tail, and an exotic German accent that you seem to find so alluring?” said Lorna with a slight tease.<br /><br />“I really hope you’re being sarcastic, Lorna,” groaned Pietro.<br /><br />“Sarcastic or not, I learned a lot while I was with X-Force. I learned the most from Kurt and not in the way you’re probably thinking,” said Wanda, her voice shifting again as more emotions overwhelmed her.<br /><br />“Still makes me sick to the very pit of my stomach,” grumbled Pietro.<br /><br />“Above all, he taught me that having faith in a vision and taking action are two sides of the same coin. You can’t rely on one alone. You also can’t compromise one for the sake of the other. That was Magneto’s greatest mistake. Charles Xavier made that same mistake with the Mutant Monitoring Initiative. Now, we have a chance to learn from it and if this world is going to succeed, we damn well better.”<br /><br />She had a strength in her tone that superseded the emotional strain. It was the kind of strength that commanded respect and leadership. Wanda had been away from the Brotherhood for a while. The influence that Kurt and the X-men had on her was apparent. As a result, she would have to earn the trust of every mutant and Neo on Asteroid M. Perhaps. It seemed daunting, but that was good for her. It would make her work that much harder to honor her father’s sacrifice.<br /><br />“So what’s the next step, Wanda? Or should I call you Madam Maximoff now?” asked Frenzy dryly<br /><br />“The next step is too far ahead to contemplate,” she said, “We need to focus on the present right now. That involves cleaning up City X, assembling resources, and establishing relationships with allies.”<br /><br />“I hope those relationships don’t involve inviting Nightcrawler to join,” muttered Pietro.<br /><br />“You can rest easy, Pietro. Kurt has some loose ends to resolve with the X-men. But he knows our door is open to him.”<br /><br />“Speak for yourself,” he groaned, which earned a scold from Lorna.<br /><br />“I know it’s not going to be popular. I may make myself a target as well. But we can’t let old rivalries get in our way anymore. We need to be loved, respected, and feared,” Wanda went on, “Xavier and his X-men are strong enough to keep the world in one piece. We need to show that we’re strong enough to make our new world a part of it.”<br /><br />“Speaking of which, are we going to keep calling this new world Asteroid M?” asked Alex, “We’re not in space anymore. I think if we’re going to be viable, we need a name that’s not quite as loaded.”<br /><br />Wanda continued to scrutinize the cityscape of this new world. Down below, the Brotherhood just pulled the body the rubble. It was a mutant who had died during the High Evolutionary’s attack. It appeared to be the body of a young mutant woman. The grim sight horrified many of the mutants that were getting medical treatment. It also further intensified their mistrust of the Neo, who looked indifferent to this death.<br /><br />This was the atmosphere in which she would have to lead. It seemed so daunting. Asteroid M had a very morbid ambiance. She tried to imagine Kurt being by her side, lending the support he had given her throughout this whole crisis. She would need it and so much more to succeed in the way their people deserved.<br /><br />“I’ve thought of that too, Alex,” said Wanda, “This isn’t the High Evolutionary’s world anymore. It isn’t Magneto’s either. It’s our world. That’s why from this day forward I’m calling this new mutant continent Avalon.”<br /><br />“Avalon? Sounds like a Renaissance fair,” scoffed Frenzy.<br /><br />“It’s actually a land from mythology. One father told me about while I was a child,” she explained, “It was a mythical land that housed King Auther’s sword, Excalibur. It was said to be a land that produced everything that was necessary for it’s inhabitants to survive.”<br /><br />“Well technically that was true before all our Warlock technology was shut down,” Pietro pointed out, “We’ve still got hardware, but I doubt we can produce everything we need.”<br /><br />“That’s not the point, Pietro. Avalon was special because it was a land that was only limited by the people that utilized it. We need to go beyond those limits for our people. Not just for the dangers we know we’ll face, but for the dangers that have yet to emerge.” </i><br />
<br />
I’m very proud of how far I’ve taken X-men Supreme over the past eight years. The end of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> story in the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a>
arc is something I found very satisfying. I hope others feel the same
way. However, I also crafted that ending with the idea that I may not
continue X-men Supreme after X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and
Divided. While I do have ideas for more stories, the lack of feedback
and energy have left me to consider whether it would be best to leave
this fanfiction series where it stands.<br />
<br />
I haven’t quite made my decision yet, but I’m already
leaning in a particular direction. There’s a very real chance that the
next issue of X-men Supreme could be the last. However, you can still
influence that decision by providing comments and feedback. Either post
them directly in the issue or <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/contact.php">contact me</a>
directly. I can’t guarantee that what you say will change my mind one
way or another, but I will take them seriously as I render this
critical decision. Until next time, take care and best wishes.
Xcelsior!<br />
<br />
JackJack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-82685670739688931882018-09-06T20:06:00.001-04:002018-09-06T20:06:07.260-04:00Heroes, Criminals, and Heroes Operating As Criminals: Astonishing X-men #15The following is my review of<i> Astonishing X-men #15,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/marvel-astonishing-xmen-15-2602332620.html?rebelltitem=7#rebelltitem7" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
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In principle, being a superhero is simple. You find criminals, you fight them, and you defeat them. If you can cooperate with the authorities along the way, then that's a nice bonus. When heroes have to operate as criminals, though, things aren't as simple. That doesn't just apply to vigilantes like Batman and the Punisher, who overtly operate outside the law. Sometimes, a superhero has to function in an environment where they're branded a criminal for the wrong reasons.<br />
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That is Alex Summers' situation in <i>Astonishing X-men</i>. Now that he's not inverted anymore from the events of <i>AXIS</i>, he's attempting to rebuild his superhero credibility. His timing is actually really good, in some respects. With both his brother, Cyclops, and Captain America also having to salvage their reputations due to events like <i>Secret Empire</i> and <i>Avengers vs. X-men</i>, he's following ongoing trend among heroes. With the way things play out, however, he's going in the wrong direction and it's not entirely his fault. <br />
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Matthew Rosenberg and Greg Land give Havok plenty of opportunities to channel his brother's leadership skills. He manages to assemble a new team of X-men to carry out heroics on their own terms. It's not exactly a team of A-list heavy hitters, though. Between Warpath's attitude in <i>Weapon X</i> and Colossus still recovering from his failed wedding in <i>X-men Gold #30</i>, Havok needs more than just leadership to get them on the same page.<br />
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The underlying plot of <i>Astonishing X-men #15</i> starts off simple. The Reavers are on the loose again and the X-men usually don't have many qualms about fighting Reavers. However, some major complications emerge that would hinder Captain America on his best day. These aren't the traditional, mutant-hunting Reavers the X-men are used to. They're now directly sponsored by the government and operating under the guise of law enforcement. Given the government's tenuous history with policing mutants, it's only shocking that they didn't resort to killer cyborgs sooner.<br />
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This immediately puts Havok and his new team are already behind the curve. Their confrontation with these state-sanctioned Reavers goes so badly that even Kitty Pryde has dissociated the X-men from Alex's team. Logistically speaking, they can't even call themselves X-men. In the eyes of both the law and their friends, they're not superheroes operating as criminals. They're just criminals.<br />
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This isn't just bad press like the kind Spider-Man deals with every other day. Officially, Havok's team fight and evade government agents. That's both frustrating and jarring because it subverts the X-men's traditional approach to battles. Like Sentinels or evil clones crafted by Sinister, the Reavers are the kinds of enemies that X-men usually battle without a second thought. It's almost like a reflex akin to Captain America saluting the flag or Deadpool making a dirty joke.<br />
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The difference this time is that the Reavers are sanctioned by the government. It's not entirely a mutual partnership. The Reavers, led by Donald Pierce, make it abundantly clear that this partnership was imposed. They didn't cooperate with the government out of civic duty. They were essentially drafted into serving and Havok doesn't find that out until it's too late.<br />
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This creates an unusual, but interesting backdrop to the conflict. There's no mind control or inverted personalities at work here. The only alteration to the X-men/Reaver clash is that the Reavers are now operating under the whim of the authorities. Even if they do it unwillingly, they're still technically government operatives and Havok's team fought them. From a legal perspective, they assaulted agents of law enforcement. That's not what heroes do. That's what criminals do.<br />
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It's less about the ethics of heroism and more about the bureaucracy surrounding it. Any team of heroes, be they X-men or Avengers, can take down all the cyborg assassins they want. Both the public and those in government will gladly cheer them on. However, as soon as those same cyborg assassins start operating with the government's seal of approval, those cheers turned to outrage.<br />
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It puts Havok in an unusual predicament. He wants to redeem himself. Instead, he and his new team find themselves on the wrong end of the law and public opinion. The media doesn't frame the story as the X-men heroically defeating the Reavers before they can harm innocent mutants. They report it as a group of rogue mutant terrorists battling government forces.<br />
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Technically, that's not some misleading headline on the front page of the Daily Bugle. That actually happens, forcing Havok and his new team to lay low. That doesn't work either, though. The Reavers still find them, which means they have to defend themselves. Doing so means fighting back, but that only compounds the problem because they're still fighting government officials.<br />
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It's a no-win situation for Havok. Unlike his older brother, he doesn't have a boy scout reputation to fall back on. People may question a news story that claims Captain America sucker-punched a police officer, but they're less inclined to doubt that Cyclops' less capable brother did something awful, especially after being inverted for so long. He even acknowledges how bad it gets, escaping to a bar frequented by other colorful criminals. It seems every conceivable force is working against Havok's efforts to redeem himself and for once, that's not just brooding.<br />
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It's not completely hopeless. Rosenberg never lets the tone of the story get too bleak. Havok still gets a chance to do his brother proud, hatching a plan towards the end that requires him to embrace his new criminal connotations to some extent. It's bold, but fitting approach. Given how the plot is almost framed, it feels necessary.<br />
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That also feels like a flaw, of sorts, because neither Havok nor his team really have much choice along the way. There's never a sense that they have any agency in how they impact the plot. The same goes for the Reavers, as well. Having that government label really limits their agenda to serving whoever has the right emblems on their uniform.<br />
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Even with those limits, <i>Astonishing X-men #15</i> succeeds in presenting Havok with a daunting, yet novel challenge on his path to redemption. Just forming a new team of X-men and following his brother's example isn't enough. He has to operate as a criminal in order to become the hero he wants to be. His brother would be proud, but probably just as frustrated.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Final Score: 7 out of 10</b></u></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-21979606381100025322018-08-30T16:15:00.000-04:002018-08-30T16:15:02.101-04:00Evolving Revolutions in a Devolving World: Scarlet #1The following is my review of<i> Scarlet #1,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/scarlet-1-dc-comics-2600198297.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
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Rebellion is one of those unavoidable pitfalls of an imperfect world. Wherever there's injustice, fictional or otherwise, there will be popular uprisings. It's the inspiration for half the music produced in the late 1960s. It's also a rite of passage for any teenager who had to endure an early curfew. By definition, it's deviant because it opposes the status quo. At the same time, it has an uncanny allure because it dares to pursue something better.<br />
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Scarlet Rue personifies rebellion in a rawest sense. When Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev introduced her in <i>Scarlet</i> back in 2010, they went out of their way to craft a character who embodies the fighting spirit for those wronged by corrupt authority figures. She's not a superhero. She's not some incorruptible demigod who just shows and decides to do the right thing for the sake of children and puppies. Scarlet is very much a victim of an unjust society that takes corruption to its grittiest extreme. <br />
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What she lacks in superpowers, though, she makes up for in endearing grit. She doesn't wear a mask or run around in skin-tight uniforms, either. Most of her attire can probably be found on clearance at a department store and that's important because many of the people she inspires aren't the kind who can afford fancy clothes. They're like her, living in a world where they constantly deal with the misfortune of not being related to a senator, a CEO, or a billionaire. Being able to relate to Scarlet makes her easy to follow and that's what makes <i>Scarlet #1</i> work.<br />
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Her rebellion does not stop at petitions, protests, or spreading witty internet memes. Scarlet Rue throws herself into the heart of a struggle, upsetting the fragile order that relies heavily on people like her just not having the energy or spirit to fight back. The story in <i>Scarlet #1</i> picks up at a point where the fighting has escalated beyond any protest or riot. Scarlet Rue is now the face of a full-blown revolution and the people rallying fighting alongside her are at their breaking point.<br />
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The extent of that revolution is not for those with something to lose. Maleev flexes his unique artistic style by presenting rich, detailed cityscapes that reveal the scars that Scarlet's revolution has left on Portland. Bridges are destroyed, the streets are in ruin, and buildings crumble under the bombardment of constant drone strikes. It's a war-ravaged world, but one in which Scarlet's message gains greater significance every step of the way.<br />
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For much of the story, she walks this war-ravaged world, talking to people and giving them a sense of perspective. She makes herself vulnerable by being so bold, but she kind of has to at this point in her revolution. The powers that be aren't ignoring her. As such, they're making it increasingly difficult to operate. There's no electricity, internet access, or infrastructure to work with. All Scarlet has are the streets and the people brave enough to walk them. She manages makes the most of it, though.<br />
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As she and her fellow revolutionaries walk the streets, she talks to them about how bad things have gotten. However, she never talks down to them. She doesn't come off as one of those revolutionaries who seeks to overthrow one tyranny just to impose another. She's not some wide-eyed idealist, either. She keeps her message real and concise. She also never elevates herself above that message. At times, she even shows a reluctance to be the face of a revolution. She doesn't avoid her part in it, either.<br />
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That's critical for the merits of her struggle because it keeps her from getting the blame for all the damage her revolution has brought. Scarlet acknowledges, at one point, that she is responsible for the destruction her activities have wrought. At the same time, though, she also points out that she isn't the one who blew up the bridges or cut the power. It's those opposing her movement who did that. They just happen to have access to military-grade hardware and are willing to use it to preserve the status quo.<br />
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The ramifications of these choices, both for Scarlet and the authorities, take shape towards the end when another building is destroyed by a drone. If the intent is to put pressure on Scarlet and foster resentment among her supporters, then it clearly backfires. The people who survive the attack don't blame her for bringing about so much hardship. They blame the government that sends those drones. They're at a point where nobody trusts anyone in established institutions. Every time they try to dissuade the revolution, they end up giving Scarlet more supporters.<br />
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It's a dangerous state of affairs, but one that's more relevant today that it was in 2010. Through <i>Scarlet</i>, Bendis depicts a revolution that has progressed to a point where there's no containing it. <i>Scarlet #1</i> demonstrates that the government has done as much as they can without resorting to nuclear weapons, but it still doesn't work. Scarlet Rue's movement just keeps getting stronger and people keep rallying to her cause.<br />
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It's a uniquely real take on rebellions within a corrupt world, one that relies less on photogenic superheroes and more on people willing to confront the truth. Certain aspects of the story are fairly dense. While <i>Scarlet #1</i> is friendly to new readers who haven't been following the series, it goes somewhat overboard with the exposition to provide context and setting. It gets a bit wordy at times and that's not just because of Scarlet's personality. It takes a while for a real turning point to occur, but when it does, there's plenty of intrigue.<br />
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There are many salient messages within <i>Scarlet #1</i> that go beyond furthering the personal journey of Scarlet Rue. She's not some loud-mouthed protester who doesn't understand the the complexities of the world around her. Her revolution comes from actual crimes in which she was an actual victim. There's not much complexity beyond that. She's someone who's easy to root for and easier to worry about, given what she's up against. She's also a character who reflects the kind of revolutionary spirit that is all substance and little style. That kind of personality is rare in comics, but even rarer in the real world.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Final Score: 6 out of 10 </b></u></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-70073380135854136042018-08-24T05:41:00.000-04:002018-08-24T05:41:40.859-04:00X-men Supreme Issue 173: High Evolution Part 5 is LIVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
It’s here. The final battle between the X-men and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
has arrived. What began in the first few issues of X-men Supreme
Volume 1: Mutant Revolution is set to end in a battle that will leave
no corner of this fanfiction series untouched. Since their first
encounter in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i3.php">X-men Supreme issue 3: Competition</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> has been fighting for a vision that has put him at odds with the X-men at every turn. Whereas <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> seeks peace and understating, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
seeks domination and subjugation. As he said in the X-men First Class
movie, peace was never an option. He has that same mindset in X-men
Supreme and it has led them to this final battle in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a>.<br />
<br />
I say it’s the final battle for reasons that I hope will make sense soon enough. Since the beginning of the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> arc, I’ve made clear that Asteroid M is <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> ultimate failsafe plan. Going all the way back to his initial plan for mutant domination in the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i17.php">Uprising</a>
arc, he always intended it to be a last resort. He and the High
Evolutionary have been working behind the scenes, making every effort
to ensure that such extremes weren’t necessary. Thanks to the efforts
of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and his X-men, though, all those previous efforts failed. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> has no intention of letting this one slip by.<br />
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There will be no surrender. There will be no compromise. When all is said and done, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a>
story in the X-men Supreme fanfiction series will be complete. His
journey, which I’ve been crafting from influences of every X-men
medium, has been built on a mix of tragedy, treachery, and drive. The
friendship and rivalry between him and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>
embodies the very soul of the X-men. Everything that makes the X-men
heroes stems from this conflict. In the comics and movies, it has
created a brutal cycle of triumph, pain, and loss. In the X-men Supreme
fanfiction series, there will be no such cycle. That story will have an
end.<br />
<br />
In my opinion, it has to end in order for the journey of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and his X-men to move forward. It also has to end in order to resolve the ongoing schism between <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Xavier</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a>.
X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided has been a testament to
just how much the X-men struggle when they aren’t a coherent team. The
X-men comics explored this too, but X-men Supreme made it more
personal. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v6i148.php">X-men Supreme Issue 148: New Divide</a> broke a lot of hearts as <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a> quit the X-men to forge X-Force, believing that Xavier had lost his way in forging an alliance with <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/general_grimshaw.php">General Grimshaw</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly</a>. The price of that schism has been rising ever since.<br />
<br />
From <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i155.php">Drug War</a> to <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a>, the weaknesses of the X-men and X-Force reveal themselves at every turn. Neither <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> nor <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a>
can definitively say they were right at this point. Both have been
vindicated in some areas and proven wrong in others. As a result, both
teams found themselves in a position of weakness when <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
struck. Now, with the High Evolutionary revealing his own tricks as
well, they find themselves and the entire human race on the brink. The
end is upon them. If <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> triumphs, humanity is no more. This is truly it for the X-men and for <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>.
If you only read one issue of the X-men Supreme fanfiction series all
year, make it this one. Trust me when I say the end will leave the
X-men, mutants, and the entire human race forever changed.<br />
<h2 align="center">
<a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i173.php"><b>X-men Supreme Issue 173: High Evolution Part 5</b></a></h2>
It’s amazing to think that the X-men Supreme fanfiction
series has come so far. I knew when I began in X-men Supreme Volume 1:
Mutant Revolution that I wanted Magneto’s story to have a definitive
endpoint. I also wanted <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>
and the rest of his X-men to undergo definitive changes as well. The
X-men comics tend to go in cycles. I wanted this fanfiction series to
evolve. I think the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a>
arc represents the biggest evolution to date for X-men Supreme.
Whether you’ve been following X-men comics for years or have just
watched the movies, I wanted X-men Supreme to appeal to you. I
sincerely hope that this issue and all the events that led to it are as
satisfying as I hope.<br />
<br />
I can confirm, at this point, that there will be one
more issue of X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided. I can’t
necessarily confirm whether it will be the final issue of the X-men
Supreme fanfiction series, as a whole. I certainly have ideas for more
X-men Supreme stories and I understand that some plots have not yet
been resolved. However, the lack of feedback with this series has made
it difficult to justify all the time and effort I have put into it.
Depending on what kind of response I get for this and the next issue, I
may just end it. Until then, though, I urge everyone to take the time
to send me your feedback on this and the X-men Supreme fanfiction
series. Either <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/comments.php?write=v7i173">post your comments directly in the issue</a> or <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/contact.php">contact me</a> directly. Either way is fine and I’m happy to chat X-men. Until next time, take care and best wishes. Xcelsior!<br />
<br />
JackJack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-31127712420847009402018-08-23T18:10:00.002-04:002018-08-23T18:10:18.519-04:00Old, Gruff, and Gritty: Old Man Logan #46The following is my review of<i> Old Man Logan #46,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/marvel-old-man-logan-46-2598193440.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
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It's never easy watching a beloved friend or family member succumb to the ravages of age. It's an inescapable fact of life, but if there's anyone who has a chance to escape, it's Wolverine. He's not supposed to age, decline, or lose his sex appeal. This is a man who survived having the adamantium ripped from his bones by Magneto, endured multiple battles with Apocalypse, and kept his dignity after the Punisher ran him over with a steamroller. However, it's because he's not supposed to get old that Old Man Logan has such unique appeal.<br />
<br />
He's a version of Wolverine who is losing his battle against the ravages of time. He can still heal, but he can't be the same hero he's always been. Moreover, he can never be that hero again. His body and his spirit just won't allow it. That version of Wolverine is buried in the past. This version is looking less and less capable with each passing day.<br />
<br />
Since taking over the series, Ed Brisson has been guiding Old Man Logan into the proverbial twilight of his story and there's a growing sense that the end is near for him. He can't heal like he used to. He can't fight with the same ferocity that once made him so dangerous. He's an old man and there's only so much he can heal from. On top of that, the adamantium in his bones is poisoning him so his clock is ticking faster than most.<br />
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It's a rare and difficult story to tell, an iconic hero getting older and less capable. Old Man Logan tells that story well and with <i>Old Man Logan #46</i>, Brisson takes him one step closer to the inevitable, but not before putting him in position to be the best there is at what he does. That also includes him teaming up with old allies, such as Alpha Flight. It's one of Wolverine's oldest affiliations that doesn't involve clones or other living weapons. It's somewhat fitting because Alpha Flight prepared him for the X-men. Now, they're helping him prepare for his final days.<br />
<br />
The tone of the story is not as somber as it could've been. Old Man Logan is not necessarily broken up about his declining health. He's not dreading the dwindling time he has left or that the mainline version of Wolverine is coming back to take his space. Brisson presents Old Man Logan as a man resigned to his fate, but not in a way that feels grim. He's still Wolverine. He'll still throw himself into the middle of a battle and stab things, as only he can.<br />
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It does, however, create a unique backdrop for the part of the story that requires fighting and claws. It's a fairly generic situation by Alpha Flight standards. There's a small town in Canada that has been overrun by some purple alien plant monster. Not much is known or revealed about it, but it gives Old Man Logan and Alpha Flight a reason to team up. It has the common themes of an old school monster movie, complete with mysterious origins for the monster and brutal deaths for innocent townspeople.<br />
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By Wolverine standards, it's basically a typical Tuesday. However, a good chunk of the story is dedicated to reinforcing just how little time Old Man Logan has left. There's even one revealing scene between him and Puck where he reveals something that few versions of Wolverine would ever admit without the influence of powerful psychics.<br />
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It's not just that he can't heal and the adamantium in his body is killing him. He's tired. His exact words are, "I'm just so tired." He knows he's not the man he used to be. He also knows that if he keeps fighting like a young man version of Logan, people are going to get hurt, namely those cares about. He's at a point in his illustrious, brutal life where he's just ready to go. It's one of those things people expect old men to say, but not Logan.<br />
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Puck and the rest of Alpha Flight don't have a chance to respond, which is understandable when they're fighting an alien plant monster. Damian Couceiro manages to include some solemn reactions through a dark, but appropriate art style. There's a clear sense that Alpha Flight isn't just brushing Old Man Logan's dire condition off. They just don't get an opportunity to confront him about it and Old Man Logan makes clear that he doesn't want to talk about it.<br />
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This does have a meaningful impact on the battle against the alien plant monster. If a younger, less tired version of Wolverine were involved, then the drama just isn't there. <i>Old Man Logan #46</i> isn't just Wolverine fighting another space monster with his fellow Canadian heroes. Brisson creates a predicament where every growl, slash, and grunt is pushing Old Man Logan closer to the brink. He can't win they day by just going into a berserker rage and stabbing everything with a feral grin on his face. He has to fight knowing that he's not going to heal from the wounds he incurs like he used to.<br />
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That makes <i>Old Man Logan #46</i> and every subsequent issue more dramatic beyond the alien plant monsters. This isn't just another tease about a major hero dying and setting up a subsequent resurrection story. This is a character who is ready to die and doesn't want to come back. He wants to fight whatever battles he can before walking off into the light to rejoin his family. It's sad on some levels, but refreshingly real in a way that is atypical of superhero comics, especially those involving Wolverine.<br />
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There are many times in Logan's vast, convoluted history where his healing factor has been damaged and his ability to survive any battle is in question. However, Old Man Logan sets himself apart by conceding to his vulnerabilities to some extent. There's no certainty that he'll heal from his condition because it has less to do with his powers and more to do with juts being an old man. It's solemn, but it's not tragic in the sense that Old Man Logan is ready to die. He's just not done stabbing things yet.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Final Score: 7 out of 10 </u></b></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-23167555134463704232018-08-17T05:15:00.000-04:002018-08-17T05:16:48.431-04:00X-men Supreme Issue 173: High Evolution Part 5 PREVIEW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The final showdown of X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided is upon us. Magneto’s ultimate endgame is here. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Professor Charles Xavier</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/general_grimshaw.php">General Grimshaw</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/jack_freeman.php">Captain Freeman</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a>, the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/scarlet_witch.php">Scarlet Witch</a>, the X-men, and X-Force have been on a collision course. The <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> arc has just accelerated everything. They’re all past the point of no return. There’s no turning back. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
and the High Evolutionary are set to make their boldest move to date.
When all is said and done, the X-men Supreme fanfiction series will
never be the same.<br />
<br />
I’ve tried to make major volume of X-men Supreme end
with a bang in the best possible way. X-men Supreme Volume 1: Mutant
Evolution had <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i17.php">Uprising</a>. X-men Supreme Volume 3: Ashes of Hope had the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v3i63.php">Phoenix Saga</a>.
Each final arc signaled a major upheaval coupled with a major
transition for this fanfiction series. Sometimes, it ended on a high
note, setting the stage for a new set of challenges. Other times, the
end was solemn and bittersweet. For both X-men Supreme Volume 5: Dark
Truths and X-men Supreme Volume 6: Liberation Decimation, the endgames
were pretty bleak. I don’t deny that.<br />
<br />
For a while now, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Professor Xavier</a>
and his X-men have had more setbacks than victories. You could argue
the same has been happening in the X-men comics for years. However, I
haven’t taken this fanfiction series down these darker paths to create a
sense of futility. I knew before I finished X-men Supreme Volume 5:
Dark Truths how I wanted things to play out. I had the ending for X-men
Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided in mind when ended things with <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v5i121.php">Dark Legacy</a>. The culmination of that plan is about to play out in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a>.<br />
<br />
That’s not to say that the ending will be a perfect
victory for the X-men and all that is good. Every triumph, even from
the X-men’s best moments in this fanfiction series, have come at a
price. It’s just a matter of extent. Throughout X-men Supreme Volume 7:
United and Divided, there have been many events that have kept the
X-men divided. The schism between <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a> kept them from working together during the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i155.php">Drug War</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a>
arc. As a result, both teams struggled and suffered losses. On top of
that, their inability to be the X-men they’ve always been left the
world vulnerable to <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> and the High Evolutionary.<br />
<br />
It has made for a long, turbulent journey for the X-men. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> has seen his dream falter, evolve, and almost disintegrate before his very eyes on multiple occasions. Once again, he and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> are in a bitter struggle for the future of mutants and humans alike. Once again, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> is poised to exterminate the human race for the sake of mutants. He
and the High Evolutionary have left nothing to chance. This is the
ultimate endgame for them. There’s no backup plan. There’s no
fail-safe. Either they succeed or everyone perishes. That’s all there
is to it. The stakes literally couldn’t be higher. As always, I’ve
prepared an extended preview of just how this final battle will culminate for the X-men.<br />
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<i>“NO! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING! THIS WORLD OF MINE! ALL THIS HARD WORK!” exclaimed the High Evolutionary.<br /><br />“Has officially gone to shit,” grinned Mystique.<br /><br />That harsh truth stung. Shortly after the revelation that Mystique had been posing as Cyclops, the High Evolutionary used his monitor to check on the transverse electromagnetic modulation thrusters. He tuned in just in time to see that Cyclops, Angel, and Illyana had subdued the Brotherhood and made some adjustments to his device. Using Illyana’s portal, they brought in some Warlock technology of their own. With it, they attached what looked like beacons to the flickering core that had been retrieved from Genosha. Once it was in place, the chaos truly took hold.<br /><br />Warnings blared. Sirens went off. A mysterious blast shot up from the surface of the Earth. It was like a massive lightning bolt, arcing its way through the depths of space. It arced towards Asteroid M where it connected with the transverse electromagnetic modulation thrusters. From that connection, the core from Genosha shorted out. It also sent a deep tremor that rocked the entire asteroid. Such chaos left the High Evolutionary enraged to the point of madness.<br /><br />Phoenix, still surrounded by cosmic flames, rushed to Mystique and Dark Beast. They were both wounded so she instinctively made sure they were protected. As the images of Cyclops leading the attack against the Brotherhood played out over the High Evolutionary’s monitor, Phoenix felt a surge of emotions.<br /><br />“Scott Summers, you brilliant and frustrating man,” she mused as she hovered over Mystique and Dark Beast, “How can I be so pissed yet so hot for you at the same time?”<br /><br />“He told me to tell you that he would explain everything when this is over,” said Mystique, “I would tell you to go easy on him, but given how he’s been acting lately…well, let’s just say he needs to be humbled.”<br /><br />“We both do,” she said distantly while smiling at the monitor.<br /><br />“In the meantime, we need to make sure your friend here doesn’t wake up cranky.”<br /><br />Phoenix agreed and used her telepathy to keep Dark Beast unconscious. It was a welcome sight for Nightcrawler, Wanda, Captain Freeman, and Professor Xavier even though they were still trapped in Magneto’s metal confines. There were a lot of questions to be answered, but for once things were going their way.<br /><br />“You knew about this, didn’t you?” said Professor Xavier.<br /><br />“To a large extent, yes,” said Wanda, focused on her still unconscious father.<br /><br />“It vasn’t just X-Force, Professor,” said Nightcrawler, “Ve received help from everybody ve could reach. Zhat included District X, X-Factor, Jubilee’s Lights, and our friends on Muir Island.”<br /><br />“And all in utter secrecy,” said Xavier, sounding both impressed and somewhat disturbed, “How did you put it all together like this?”<br /><br />“Not forgetting that some of us have a huge problem with you going behind our backs,” said Captain Freeman with a cold.<br /><br />“Ve had to because you couldn’t, Professor,” said Nightcrawler, “Ve didn’t need soldiers or authorities for a threat like zhis. Ve needed heroes.”<br /><br />The relief Xavier felt was now coupled with a sense of sorrow. It resonated in a way that was even more powerful than the outrage that the High Evolutionary was experiencing. He knew from the beginning that Mutant Monitoring Initiative was a risk. He worked so hard to make it succeed. Now he had proof that those efforts weren’t enough. On top of that, he lost sight of what his X-men stood for and it nearly cost him dearly.<br /><br />While Xavier processed that painful realization, Captain Freeman set aside his emotions and re-focused on the mission. The sudden turning of the tide meant they might be able to salvage some objectives. <br /><br />While everyone was still reeling from the shock, he adapted his body more fervently. He adjusted his bones and limbs so that they were more malleable. He also changed the bulk of his arms so that he had greater strength. Meanwhile, the High Evolutionary scrambled to salvage any sense of control.<br /><br />“I can still rebuild!” he said frantically, “You think disabling it will prevent me from destroying your world? You’re wrong! I’ve plenty of other options at my disposal!”<br /><br />“And I have just as many options to dispose of you!” grunted the Green Beret.<br /><br />In another startling loss of control for the High Evolutionary, Captain Freeman broke out from his metal confines. Once free, he went right for the High Evolutionary. The imposing figure turned around just in time to receive a devastating punch to the head.<br /><br />“Augh!” he groaned as he keeled over his console.<br /><br />“Consider yourself lucky,” said Captain Freeman, “Beating you to a pulp was only a secondary mission objective.”<br /><br />“You couldn’t have done that a little sooner?” groaned Wanda, who was still stuck.<br /><br />“Blame your old man! He kept doing too many metal tricks for me to adapt,” said Captain Freeman, “That’s why my primary mission objective is more important.”<br /><br />“What do you mean by primary objective?” asked Professor Xavier suspiciously.<br /><br />“I know you’re naïve, Xavier. But you can’t be that deluded,” said the Green Beret, “X-Force isn’t the only one who can play the deception game. Sometimes we need to lie to both our allies and our enemies.”<br /><br />Leaving the High Evolutionary hunched over his computer array, Captain Freeman turned his attention towards Magneto. He was groaning lightly, hinting that he wasn’t completely knocked out and could still be a threat. <br /><br />Ignoring every other detail for the mission, he walked up to Magneto’s unmoving form and pulled out a small handgun he had stashed in his uniform. It didn’t look like an ordinary handgun either. It was gray with a plastic texture. With little, hesitation, he pointed the gun right at Magneto’s head.<br /><br />“What the hell are you doing?” exclaimed Wanda.<br /><br />“It’s exactly what it looks like,” said Captain Freeman as he cocked the gun, “The High Evolutionary was the brains of this operation. Now I’m taking out the muscle.”<br /><br />“Put the gun down, Captain! This wasn’t part of the mission!” yelled Professor Xavier.<br /><br />“Wrong again, Xavier. This was always part of the mission,” said Captain Freeman stoically, “Don’t hate me for it. I’m just following orders.” </i><br />
<br />
I’m very excited to see the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a>
arc conclude, along with the many stories that have led to this
moment. I’ve been writing X-men Supreme for over eight years now and
every arc seems more ambitious than the last. This one is, by far, the
biggest one I’ve written since the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v3i63.php">Phoenix Saga</a>. There have been so many twists and turns leading up to it. I hope the end result is as rewarding to read as it was to write<br />
.<br />
At this point, after writing X-men Supreme for so long,
I’ve had a chance to really develop and refine this fanfiction series. I
write every issue with the intention of making it better than the last
one. I feel as though I’ve come a long way since it began back in
2010. This world and these characters I love have evolved so much and
they’ve helped remind me why I love X-men so much. The feedback I’ve
gotten in that time has been incredible and I hope I get plenty more as
I prepare to conclude this incredible arc. Please, if you can, take the
time to send me feedback. Either <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/contact.php">contact me</a>
directly or post your comments in each issue. Either way is fine and I
always appreciate constructive comments. Until next time, take care
and best wishes. Xcelsior!<br />
<br />
JackJack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-37676589749546000462018-08-16T18:41:00.005-04:002018-08-16T18:41:55.160-04:00Tenuous Temporal Deconstruction: Extermination #1The following is my review of<i> Extermination #1,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/extermination-1-marvel-comics-2596251055.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
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There comes a point in every time travel story where the damage to the timeline become untenable. Sometimes, it takes too long to get to that point and when functional time machines are involved, that's saying something. It's debatable whether the original five X-men that, as ripped from the earliest issues of <i>Uncanny X-men</i>, have gotten to that point, but the circumstances surrounding <i>Extermination #1</i> make a pretty convincing case that their time has come.<br />
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The details are unavoidable. The reasons why the time-displaced X-men came to the future and stayed there are obsolete. Cyclops never causes a mutant genocide. Jean Grey doesn't stay dead. Angel doesn't permanently lose his mind. Iceman doesn't stay in the closet. Everything that once horrified them about the future no longer applies. It makes their continued presence both superfluous and confusing. Ed Brisson and Pepe Larraz promise to resolve that with <i>Extermination</i>.<br />
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That necessarily requires more time travel and all the timeline-twisting machinations that come with it. As <i>Back to the Future</i> so eloquently demonstrates in 1985, the source of the temporal disruption must also be the solution to some extent. The events of <i>Extermination #1</i> just add more urgency, as well as a new threat that promises to step up the time tables, literally and figuratively.<br />
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The nature of that threat is vague, but it involves familiar names. Things happen fast and suddenly. Big messy battles unfold, giving Larraz plenty of chances to create stunning visuals. There are also multiple casualties, each of which have weighty implications. However, since casualties in a time travel story are often tenuous at best, the drama is limited. Despite this temporal barrier, Brisson and Larraz find plenty of ways to inject it into the plot.<br />
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The stakes go beyond the integrity of the timeline. They get personal very quickly and hit the time-displaced X-men right in the proverbial heart. Some get hit harder than others and the emotions from characters like Cyclops and Jean Grey are palpable. For a time travel story, which often relies heavily on sub-plots laden with sci-fi technobabble, this kind of heartfelt anguish is refreshing. It makes <i>Extermination #1</i> feel like something other than a time travel story, of which the X-men have many.<br />
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However, some of that melodrama comes off as forced. In between the destructive battles, the personal dimensions of the conflict emerge from outstanding side-plots that have been unfolding among the time-displaced X-men in recent years. The overall structure of <i>Extermination #1</i> doesn't rely too heavily on it, but it doesn't complement it, either. There are even moments that don't entirely mesh with recent developments in the books that precede it.<br />
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The moments between Teen Cyclops and Bloodstorm don't really match with what has been going on with them in <i>X-men Blue</i>. There's an implied connection between them, but one that comes off as contrived for the sake of increasing the impact. The moments between Teen Jean, Rachel, and Cable also assume a lot about the relationship they have. While past issues of <i>All-New X-men</i> and <i>X-men Gold</i> establish that they are aware of one another, there's little indication that they've fleshed it out to any meaningful extent.<br />
<br />
This doesn't make the events in <i>Extermination #1</i> less coherent,
but for anyone who has been following the journey of the time-displaced
X-men, it feels disconnected from their over-arching story.
To some extent, this keeps the story from getting bogged down by
continuity. At the same time, it also overlooks the larger implications
of the original five X-men's presence in the future. <br />
<br />
That's not a requirement to making the plot work, though. The time-displaced X-men don't need to have a deep, well-developed relationship with every character involved. Just knowing who Rachel and Cable are is enough to understand why the events that unfold are a big deal, both for original five X-men and the integrity timeline. It effectively shoves the cold, hard truth in their face in a way they can no longer ignore. Their presence in the future cannot continue. This is the end of the line for them and there's no scenario in which they can stay without incurring greater losses.<br />
<br />
That's the underlying message of the story and Brisson effectively belabors that. Some characters, namely Teen Cyclops, openly acknowledge that they have to go back to their own time at some point. They even understand that has to happen soon, but there are a lot of factors keeping them in the future, including the unpleasant fact that one of their future selves is still dead. Like any approaching time paradox, though, they don't get much say in the matter.<br />
<br />
When the past, present, and future finally catches up to the time-displaced X-men, it feels abrupt, yet necessary. There's a sense that there has to be consequences to them being in the future for as long as they have. Some characters suffer more than others and it weighs heavily on the time-displaced X-men. It also sets the stage for a much bigger, much more personal confrontation with two familiar characters who have a tendency to show up in dystopian futures.<br />
<br />
Even with all these personal and temporal connections, there isn't a sense that what happens in <i>Extermination #1</i> is a culmination of everything the time-displaced X-men have done. There's no critical mistake that puts them past the point of no return. Forces they neither control nor know about simply catch up to them and make them pay for daring to have personal attachments in the future. It's a common consequence of time travelers, but one that has just enough depth to work. <br />
<br />
<i>Extermination #1</i> certainly succeeds in firing the first shots in the conflict that will ultimately send the original five X-men back to the past. There's little mystery as to who is behind it. Brisson doesn't drag anything out and still leaves room for plenty of intrigue. The situation is dire, but it isn't hopeless and since the X-men are always one misstep away from creating another dystopian future, that counts for a lot.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Final Score: 6 out of 10</u></b></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-16255601264069650022018-08-10T05:17:00.000-04:002018-08-10T05:17:58.371-04:00The Red Queen Chronicles: The Lost Son Chapter 4 is LIVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
There are some characters whose sexiness is overtly powerful. Nobody questions the sex appeal of characters like Mary Jane Watson, Emma Frost, or Daken. They're all pretty open when it comes to showing off their sexy side. It's part of their persona and their allure. It's a big reason why I've had so much fun writing my "<a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/8140763/chapters/18659057" target="_blank">Red Queen</a>" series.<br />
<br />
Then, there are characters whose sex appeal is understated, but overwhelming. They don't carry themselves as overly sexual. They may even come off as reserved or even most of the time. However, when you dig just a little deeper into their personality, you find that they have an immense capacity for sexiness. Most of the time, it goes unrealized. It usually takes a mix of incentives and a nudge, here and there, to help them embrace it.<br />
<br />
That's exactly what I've done with Jean Grey in the world of the "<a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/8140763/chapters/18659057" target="_blank">Red Queen</a>." When she first arrived on the scene in "<a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/10827633/chapters/24028101" target="_blank">The Red Queen Chronicles: The Phoenix</a>," she was tense and conflicted. Thanks to some "coaxing" from Mary Jane and Emma Frost, she opened up in more ways than one, including the sexy ways. She and Cyclops have since expanded their relationship and their sexuality, embracing new opportunities and new lovers.<br />
<br />
She has had to tap into that sexual potential even more throughout "<a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/14874152/chapters/34441982" target="_blank">The Red Queen Chronicles: The Lost Son</a>." It has even put her into conflict with Daken, Logan's long lost son who is a bit more <i>direct</i> with his sexual proclivities. It led to a clash that left things a bit unfinished between them, to say the least. Now, with the final chapter of this latest sexy side-project, she and Daken will have a chance to tie up loose ends and in the sexiest way possible.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/14874152/chapters/36302862" target="_blank">The Red Queen Chronicles: The Lost Son</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/14874152/chapters/36302862" target="_blank">Chapter 4: Balancing Act</a></b></span></div>
<br />
I hope you've enjoyed this colorful story of devious plots and villainous decadence. I had a lot of fun writing it and to those who sent me so much kind feedback, I sincerely thank you. A few very kind reviewers even helped me flesh out ideas for this story. You know who you are and I can't thank you enough. This story actually got more support than I expected. Apparently, stories about Jean Grey's hidden sexy side have a lot of appeal. Who knew? That's good to know and hopefully, it'll inspire other sexy stories. Nuff said!Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-10784791695847462782018-08-09T14:23:00.004-04:002018-08-09T14:23:43.548-04:00Unforgettably Unforgotten: Fantastic Four #1The following is my review of<i> Fantastic Four #1,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/fantastic-four-1-marvel-comics-2594037874.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
<br />
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<br />
What is the Marvel universe without the Fantastic Four? That's a difficult question that many fans have had to answer since the conclusion of <i>Secret Wars</i> in 2015. Since then, Marvel's First Family has been absent, scattered, or a solemn combination of both. The reasons for their limited status are many and prone to speculation, ranging from bitter disputes over movie rights to simply not having a place in Marvel's ever-evolving landscape. Whatever the reason, there's one inescapable truth. The Marvel universe just isn't whole without the Fantastic Four.<br />
<br />
Their absence is a glaring flaw in a world that was built on a foundation that Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben helped forge during the golden age of the Stan Lee/Jack Kirby partnership. While many other Marvel heroes have seen their star rise, the Fantastic Four only ever seem to decline. Regardless of which hot new superhero emerges or who gets an overdue overhaul, it's never a matter of whether the First Family will ascend once more. It's just a matter of time, opportunity, and vision.<br />
<br />
With <i>Fantastic Four #1</i>, that moment is here. Dan Slott and Sara Pichelli are poised to reaffirm the Fantastic Four's importance to the Marvel universe. Overall, they succeed in almost every meaningful way. The most important thing they do is demonstrate how much the Richards family is still missed. It's not just Ben and Johnny who miss them, either. Many of their close associates, including Medusa, Crystal, and Luke Cage, all get a chance to say how they feel about a world without the Fantastic Four. They don't need Reed's vast vocabulary to make clear how much that world is lacking.<br />
<br />
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<br />
That sentiment starts as simple longing on Ben and Johnny's part. There's this underlying sense of solemn, but uplifting kind nostalgia. They both handle it very differently, though. Throughout the story, Ben is more resigned to the idea that Reed, Sue, and their kids are gone for good. It still hurts, but he's trying to move forward with his life. He even has a chance to make an important life decision with Alicia. From Ben's perspective, the best way to deal with the lost of his old family is to build a new one.<br />
<br />
That's not Johnny's approach, though. In fact, he's downright offended by Ben's methods. Johnny, being the literal and figurative hot-head of the bunch, isn't inclined to move forward. He resists any inclination to just accept that the Fantastic Four are gone for good. He clings to the idea that Reed and Sue will find a way, as they often do. Considering that these two can outwit Galactus, navigate the negative zone, and resist Namor's efforts to undermine their marriage, his faith in them is not entirely misguided.<br />
<br />
That doesn't make it any less frustrating for him, though. To some extent, Johnny's anger towards anyone who accepts that Reed, Sue, and their kids are never coming back reflects that of every other Marvel fan who misses them. It goes beyond the comics themselves. The marginalization of the Fantastic Four is hard to miss, even for those who don't follow news about mismanaged movie rights. Given their importance to the history of Marvel and the way the landscape of Marvel has unfolded without them, a little frustration is more than warranted.<br />
<br />
It culminates in a powerful moment where Slott captures that feeling perfectly through Johnny. Rather than celebrate the progress Ben makes in his personal life, he lashes out at the stars where he and the First Family got their powers. He says what so many others have thought, felt, and articulated in fan mail. Reed Richards is one of the smartest beings in the Marvel universe. No secret war, incursion, or Disney lawyer can keep him and the Fantastic Four apart. He shouldn't need a reminder, but Johnny gives him one anyways.<br />
<br />
He does it in a way that almost makes you want to shout with him. This isn't just another superhero team that can form, dissolve, and join a super-powered civil war within the same week. The Fantastic Four are a family. No matter how many planet eaters there are, family finds one another. That's something that no Avenger, X-men, or Champion can match. In the end, both Johnny and those who share his frustration get a welcome and overdue answer. It's both a sign and a gesture of reassurance. The Richards family is coming home. The Fantastic Four will be whole once more.<br />
<br />
That sentiment, built around the affirmation that the First Family is coming together again, is Slott and Pichelli's most important achievement with <i>Fantastic Four #1</i>. This isn't just a team reforming after a dramatic schism. This is a family finding itself after being torn apart by forces that literally ripped apart the multiverse. Regardless of how much or how little you missed the Fantastic Four during their prolonged absence, it's easy to appreciate that longing these characters feel to be whole once more.<br />
<br />
Slott and Pichelli evoke the right emotions throughout <i>Fantastic Four #1</i>, but the story isn't without shortcomings. As a whole, it comes off as more of a prelude rather than the first issue of a larger story. Even though Reed and Sue make an appearance, there are times when the story feels more like a movie trailer than the start of a new chapter for the First Family. The inclusion of a flashback sequence didn't seem to contribute much to the plot, either.<br />
<br />
That doesn't make the emotional weight of <i>Fantastic Four #1</i> any less impactful. It still sends the message that Fantastic Four fans have been waiting to hear for years. The First Family of the Marvel universe is coming back and they've been sorely missed. While they probably won't solve every lingering problem with superhero civil wars and pushes for diversity, they'll still be together. For any family, that's the most important part of any challenge.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Final Score: 7 out of 10</u></b></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-70314904213147959482018-08-03T05:14:00.000-04:002018-08-03T05:14:38.327-04:00X-men Supreme Issue 172: High Evolution Part 4 is LIVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--zk7jTEhD--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/okc8wwz1guqmknjlgu0q.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--zk7jTEhD--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/okc8wwz1guqmknjlgu0q.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In every battle that the X-men have won or lost, there is a defining
moment that determined the outcome of the battle. There have been
plenty of those moments throughout the X-men Supreme fanfiction series.
In <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i17.php">Uprising</a>, it was the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/scarlet_witch.php">Scarlet Witch’s</a> fateful decision to save <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/quicksilver.php">Quicksilver</a> that set the stage for<a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> defeat. In the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v3i63.php">Phoenix Saga</a>, it was <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops’</a> death that turned <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/jean_grey.php">Jean Grey</a> against the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v3i63.php">Phoenix Force</a>, allowing her to wrestle back control. Against the Mutant Liberation Front, it was <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier’s</a> fateful decision to <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v6i128.php">push himself that led to the defeat</a> that forced him to step away from the X-men.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> arc has already had plenty of moments for the X-men, X-Force, and every being on the planet, human and mutant alike. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> return has literally hit every corner of a world that Romulus rendered painfully vulnerable after the events of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a>. The division between <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Professor Xavier</a> began to crack. Even <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/general_grimshaw.php">General Grimshaw</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly</a> showed their frustration, making clear that they cannot afford another defeat.<br />
<br />
Since <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a>
return, X-men Supreme has been racing towards another dramatic turning
point that will further define this fanfiction series. There have only
been a handful of those points to date, despite X-men Supreme spanning
over 170 issues over an eight-year span. From <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/jean_grey.php">Jean Grey</a> embracing the power of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v3i63.php">the Phoenix Force</a> to <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/sinister.php">Sinister</a>
unleashing the Legacy Virus on the whole world, these are the moments
that require the most time, energy, and awesome. The final showdown in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> promises to deliver just such a moment.<br />
<br />
Make no mistake. There will be losses. There will be
casualties. Prices will be paid, hearts will be broken, and spirits
will be crushed. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> and the High Evolutionary have made that unavoidable at this point. The lingering division between <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a>
made it distressingly easy, as well. It’s going to get bad, but at the
same time, these are also the kinds of moments that bring out the best
in the X-men. The comics, cartoons, and movies demonstrate that all the
time. I hope to do the same here with this fanfiction series.<br />
<br />
I’m excited and eager to see this moment unfold in X-men Supreme. It’s something I’ve been waiting to get to since <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> departure after the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v4i95.php">Time Bomb</a>
arc. I’d always planned on bringing him back into the fold. I knew
that when the time came, his actions would take the X-men, their
allies, and their enemies to a defining point that will send shockwaves
throughout this fanfiction series. The time for teasing is over. The
moment that will subsequently define X-men Supreme’s past, present, and
future has finally arrived.<br />
<h2 align="center">
<b><a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i172.php">X-men Supreme Issue 172: High Evolution Part 4</a></b></h2>
Having worked so hard to set up the events in this
issue, I’m eager to hear the reactions. I have a feeling this issue
will shock some, but not others who are familiar with the X-men’s
resolve. They’ve been battling <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
for over 50 years in comics, cartoons, movies, and assorted media.
They always find a way to endure, even when they suffer terrible
losses. It’s part of what makes them the iconic heroes they are. More
than anything else, I want <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> to help define the breadth of that resolve.<br />
<br />
I sincerely hope it’s as satisfying to read as it was for me to write. I
worked long and hard to guide this fanfiction series to the moments
that unfold in this issue. I hope it’s the kind of moment that X-men
fans of all kinds can appreciate. I had a lot of fun writing it, but it
matters just as much that those reading it enjoyed it as well. Please,
if you can, take the time to review this and any other issue of X-men
Supreme. Either <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/comments.php?write=v7i172">post your comments directly in the issue</a> or <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/contact.php">contact me</a>
directly with your feedback. Either way is fine and I’m always happy to
hear from fellow X-men fans. Until next time, take care and best
wishes. Xcelsior!<br />
<br />
JackJack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-6313910887872495982018-08-02T13:30:00.000-04:002018-08-02T13:30:00.977-04:00Summer Camp Snoozer: X-men Gold Annual #2The following is my review of<i> X-men Gold Annual #2,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/x-men-gold-annual-2-2591894720.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Every great character goes through phases that don't put them in a very positive light. Some even become downright infamous, marking a dark period in their overall arc. In certain cases, those moments are best left forgotten in the same tradition as the original <i>Clone Saga</i>, Wolverine's relationship with Squirrel Girl, and that time time Juggernaut hooked up with She-Hulk. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the recent events surrounding Kitty Pryde cannot be easily brushed aside. The events surrounding her wedding to Colossus in <i>X-men Gold #30</i> are just too heavy to overlook. To say that she comes out of that ordeal looking less than heroic is like saying Mole Man needs a shower. She does herself a huge disservice, being the one to propose to Colossus and the one to break it off. In terms of superhero credibility, Kitty is near the bottom with Magneto.<br />
<br />
That's not to say her character is beyond repair. <i>X-men Gold #30</i> certainly adds complications, but not to the point of irreparable harm on the level of Hank Pym beating his wife. Kitty Pryde still stands out as once of those characters who undergoes the most growth over the course of her time with the X-men. She joins the team as a scared, uncertain teenager who just got thrust into this world of mutants, killer robots, and living weapons. <i>X-men Gold Annual #2</i> takes a step back form her current melodrama and explores this critical side of Kitty Pryde, recounting less heartbreaking parts of her journey.<br />
<br />
Seanan McGuire and Marco Failla don't try to reinvent Kitty Pryde. They simply attempt to reinforce the kind of person she already is and they don't even rely on killer robots to achieve this. Instead, <i>X-men Gold Annual #2</i> recounts a younger Kitty Pryde taking a break from the Xavier Institute to go to summer camp. It's not exactly a journey through the Savage Land, but it's fitting in that it allows Kitty to feel normal for a while.<br />
<br />
That ends up being a pretty significant theme, the act of being normal when unavoidable circumstances say otherwise. Kitty Pryde knows and acknowledges that she isn't normal. She can pretend to be normal and for a good chunk of the story, that's what she does. For the most part, it makes her happy. It gives her a chance to reconnect with old friends, enjoy traditional summer activities, and not worry about Magneto attacking every other week. For a young Kitty Pryde who has yet to get trapped in a giant space bullet, this should be cathartic.<br />
<br />
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<br />
That's not how things play out, though. Kitty learns fairly quickly that there's no use being normal. She's just not the same person she was before she found out she was a mutant. It shows in subtle ways at first. Her friends can't keep up with her anymore, she feels more restless at night, and she's a bit more willing to break the rules, which feels kind of like Wolverine's influence on her. It makes for powerful moments of self-awareness that put Kitty ahead of the curve for most teenagers. However, when mutant issues enter the picture, both the personal insight and the overall story start to falter.<br />
<br />
Things devolve quickly for Kitty once she decides to stop being normal and exercise her inner X-men. She finds out that these friends who she gets along so well with for half the story actually harbor anti-mutant sentiments. It further shatters the notion that she can just be normal for a while. Her reaction is somewhat predictable. Her sentiments aren't much different from most expect of a teenager girl who just learns a hard lesson about the real world. She doesn't come off as Kitty Pryde, a future leader of the X-men with a thing for guys named Peter. She's just another upset teenager.<br />
<br />
That's understandable, given her age in this story. It still hinders the overall drama. There's an effort to build more by having her cross paths with another young mutant who has to overhear the anti-mutant diatribes. It makes for a few nice moments, including Kitty's first kiss, but there's nothing iconic about it. There's no Spider-Man kissing Mary Jane on top of the Empire State Building. It's just two people who bear the brunt end of mutant hatred and help each other.<br />
<br />
It's sweet, but contrived way to salvage Kitty's summer. Not much comes from it, though. There's some basic bullying on the part of their fellow campers. There's no nuance or depth to it. At times, it comes off as being copied from any teen drama movie made after 1987. Kitty doesn't even do anything to confront it. She doesn't change hearts or minds. She doesn't do anything to change anyone else's notion of normal. Granted, she's still young and inexperienced at this point, but the lack of ambition she shows seems out of character for an aspiring X-men.<br />
<br />
As a result, there's no real resolution in <i>X-men Gold Annual #2</i>. Kitty meets up with her friends and they just apologize to her for how they reacted. It happens randomly and without any real incentive. They feel bad about how they acted and that's it. There's no greater story behind it and that limits the overall impact. Kitty doesn't even get an opportunity to be heroic or show them the error of their ways. It just happens and everyone shrugs it off. That's as interesting as it gets in the end.<br />
<br />
That's not to say <i>X-men Gold Annual #2</i> doesn't have merit. It's still a refreshing reprieve for Kitty Pryde, exploring another part of her past at a time when her present is such a mess. It even has a relevant message about being normal in a world that isn't always kind to the abnormal. Kitty tries to just fit in and ignore the things that make her weird. That's something plenty of teenagers and adults can relate to. There's a story there, but it's incomplete and downright bland at times.<br />
<br />
Kitty Pryde still has a lot of room to grow. She's one of those characters whose journey reflects the struggles of the X-men and mutants, as a whole. It's part of what makes her endearing and likable. <i>X-men Gold Annual #2</i> does nothing to undercut that, but it does little to enhance it. In the past, she's still a young woman who's destined to become a member of the X-men. In the present, she's still the one who leaves Colossus at the altar. For her, growth isn't just inevitable. It's necessary.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Final Score: 4 out of 10 </u></b></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-36935700280072147242018-07-27T05:33:00.000-04:002018-07-27T05:33:47.480-04:00X-men Supreme Issue 172: High Evolution Part 4 PREVIEW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The first shots of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a>
last stand in X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided have been
fired. The X-men, X-Force, and a very vulnerable world after the events
of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a> braced themselves for this moment. They all knew <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> was capable of destruction on a global scale. Even after the events of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v2i38.php">Overlord</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v4i88.php">The Cambrian Explosion</a>,
he found way to step up that scale by bringing a new world in Asteroid
M to the mix. Now, that world is about to take this fanfiction series
into one of this most climactic moments.<br />
<br />
It’s a moment that has been building since the final moments of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v4i95.php">Time Bomb</a>. I’d always intended to bring <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
back into the mix. He has been a guiding force in the X-men Supreme
fanfiction series since its earliest days. Just like the X-men comics,
he has a knack for bringing out the best and worst in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and his X-men. Without a doubt, they need their absolute best on all levels.<br />
<br />
The division between <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a>
has put the whole vision of the X-men into question. It started as a
simple disagreement on how to move forward after the devastation in
X-men Supreme Volume 6: Liberation Decimation. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Xavier</a> believed that the X-men had to work with <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/general_grimshaw.php">General Grimshaw</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly</a>. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a> believed that was a mistake that would come back to haunt them in a major way. This clash has unfolded in many ways. The <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i155.php">Drug War</a> arc hinted that <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Xavier’s</a> approach may have merit, but the events of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a> somewhat vindicated <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops’</a> concerns.<br />
<br />
It’s still not clear which side is right, but <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> agree on one thing. Nobody can afford to be wrong when <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
is involved. His return has forced the X-men and X-Force to unite,
albeit under some very tenuous circumstances. On top of that, they have
to rely on the cooperation of the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/scarlet_witch.php">Scarlet Witch</a>, someone the X-men have clashed with before during her time with the Brotherhood of Mutants.<br />
<br />
While she has been an ally in the past as the ruler of Genosha, the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/scarlet_witch.php">Scarlet Witch</a>
has shown many times that her loyalty and love for her father shows
few limits. However, the growing relationship she has been developing
with <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/nightcrawler.php">Nightcrawler</a> since <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i158.php">X-men Supreme Issue 158: Power Brokers</a> has added a new complication. The presence of the High Evolutionary has added another. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> doesn’t just have overwhelming power and a vision for his kind to drive him. He has an entire world in Asteroid M.<br />
<br />
I’ve said before that this is <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto's</a>
last-ditch effort. This is his Hail Mary play to win the day for the
entire mutant race. He’s left nothing to chance. He and the High
Evolutionary have exerted immense control over Asteroid M and the
inhabitants that were promised paradise. The X-men, X-Force, and the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/scarlet_witch.php">Scarlet Witch</a>
are in his domain. Any chance at stopping him is slim at best and he
hasn’t even shown the full extent of his power. This may very well be
the darkest hour in the history of the X-men Supreme fanfiction series,
but it may help set the stage for its finest as well. As always, I’ve
prepared a preview of this omega-level showdown.<br />
<br />
<i>“YOU DO NOT BELONG HERE!” yelled the woman.<br /><br />“Ack! I’m pretty sure you don’t belong in my lungs either,” coughed Psylocke.<br /><br />Psylocke was quickly rendered immobile. Five other former humans tried to go for Storm, forcing Domino, Colossus, and Warpath to pick up the slack. Domino saved herself the bullets by jumping up and using the butt of her gun to strike two of the former humans that had a plant-like appearance. The other three included a father and his two young children, each of which had malleable ink-like skin. Warpath tried to get in their way, but he was reluctant to strike the young family.<br /><br />“This ain’t good parenting, pal. Leave your kids out of this!” urged Warpath.<br /><br />“WE ALL STAND FOR OUR WORLD! MAN AND CHILD ALIKE!” yelled the man.<br /><br />Warpath tried to shove the trio aside. That proved messy because the two children shifted their ink-like form to become more vicious, allowing them to smother the Native American mutant.<br /><br />“Ugh! Tastes…like mud,” choked Warpath.<br /><br />“THIS WILL TASTE WORSE!” yelled the man.<br /><br />Despite his children still covering Warpath, the man shifted his arm to form a club-like weapon. With it he slammed the Native American mutant across the face. It hit with such force that even his durable form couldn’t withstand it. He fell back, tumbling onto his hands and knees while the two children continued slithering around him in their ink form.<br /><br />“James!” Storm cried out.<br /><br />“He’s survived worse, Storm. Try and stay focused here!” urged Domino as she fought off an aerial attack from a few flying mutants, “It looks like they’re preparing for something and we need to be out of its way.”<br /><br />As Storm looked out over the hordes of former humans, she saw what Domino meant. This coordinated attack didn’t attempt to overrun them with sheer numbers. Whoever was guiding the people wanted to keep everything focused and organized. <br /><br />By now the former humans and animals were pulling back. That allowed the hundreds of other mutants to form an inescapable semi-circle around the X-men. Around that circle every mutant with firepower of some kind stood in the front, preparing to fire a simultaneous blast. Above them any mutant with flight powers along with various animals hovered above, ensuring they had nowhere to run.<br /><br />“DESTROY THE SOURGE! PURGE OUR WORLD! DESTROY THE SCOURGE! PURGE OUR WORLD!” they all chanted in perfect unison.<br /><br />“Storm, we’re out of time!” yelled Colossus, who was shoved back by a couple of sisters with gravity manipulation powers.<br /><br />“I know. I’m…trying,” grunted Storm, her eyes flickering in a white hue, “These winds…are too…stubborn!”<br /><br />The air around her grew hot and stale. With every ounce of strength, she tried to connect with these artificial forces of nature. They resisted her as if someone was actively pushing her back.<br /><br />“Hnn…I know you’ll do it, Storm,” said Warpath, still choking on the ink-like mud that had covered his upper body, “If you can reach someone…as stubborn as me…you can make these winds your own.”<br /><br />Storm’s gaze drifted towards Warpath. As she watched him fight off the inky sludge that consumed him, a new rush of determination surged through her. Asteroid M was so artificial and controlled. Trying to control it herself was a losing battle. Her only hope was to try a different approach.<br /><br />‘Nature can never be controlled. It can only be harnessed. I may not be able to wrestle control away from you, Magneto. But I can still introduce a little chaos to the winds. Let’s see how your world handles true nature!’<br /><br />No longer attempting to control the winds, Storm redirected her efforts. In an ominous display, her eyes erupted in a burst of white light. That did not dissuade the army of former humans unleashed their blast. <br /><br />In an effort to thwart her response before it began, they unleashed their powerful attack. It included forces such as energy blasts, laser blasts, electrical shocks, fireballs, ice shards, telekinesis, and sonic waves. Psylocke, Warpath, Colossus, and Domino braced themselves for the impact. But it never came.<br /><br />Before the blast struck, a powerful gust of wind swirled around Storm. From that gust, a dark cloud formed that overtook the X-men. In the process, it blew off the ghost-like woman from Psylocke and the ink-like sludge on Warpath. Once inside this cloud, the X-men were literally throw up into the wind just in time to avoid the onslaught.<br /><br />“WHOA!” they all yelled out.<br /><br />“It’s happening!” proclaimed Storm, her eyes still glowing.<br /><br />As the X-men went flying across the lake, the winds continued to swirl. As the energy from so many different blasts converged on the cloud, it triggered a white-hot burst and unleashed an air blast that momentarily engulfed the whole lake in a blinding light. <br /><br />It was quickly accompanied by a blast so powerful that it kicked up water from the lake and cause any winged being within a half-mile radius to falter. The force on the ground was even more intense, knocking waves of former mutants back and disrupting their once perfectly coordinated attack.<br /><br />“DESTROY…SCOUGE…PURGE OUR…WORLD!” they all stammered as they tried to reorganize.<br /><br />The cloud continued to grow, following completely random patterns that further disrupted the once peaceful lake. The swirling clouds continued to carry Storm, Colossus, Warpath, Psylocke, and Domino. It was not the smooth ride they were used to with Storm’s powers. Within moments they found themselves falling towards the lake where a group of hungry alligator-like creatures was waiting for them.<br /><br />“Bloody hell…those things look hungry,” said Psylocke as she saw the creatures.<br /><br />“Pull us up already, Storm! Some of us didn’t pack our swim suits!” yelled Domino.<br /><br />“It’s not entirely up to me this time,” she replied.<br /><br />The alligator creatures were already on the surface preparing to take a bite out of them. Then another sharp gust of wind blew in and pushed them further up into the sky. It was another disorienting blow to their senses, but it took them out of the line of fire. Some mutants from below still tried firing at them, but due to their lack of coordination they missed. They did not handle the chaos well. It was as if chaos itself was the X-men’s best weapon.<br /><br />As Storm ascended with Psylocke, Domino, Colossus, and Warpath their path stabilized. They noticed the starry mosaic that made up the sky became wavy and disoriented. The once awe-inspiring sight was exposed as a façade. As it faltered, Storm gained greater control of the winds.<br /><br />“Ugh! Now I know how a bug in a washing machine feels,” groaned Psylocke.<br /><br />“You did it, Storm!” exclaimed Warpath, “You got control of the-whoa shit!”<br /><br />The X-men felt more gusts blow around them. While they were moving forward, it was by no means a smooth ride. They were not the same winds they were used to on Earth.<br /><br />“It would seem that control is a work-in-progress,” said Colossus, fighting off dizziness and nausea.<br /><br />“I can only manage partial control,” said Storm as her eyes kept flashing, “I’m not actually guiding these winds. It’s only when the winds are guided by chaos that I can exert power over them.”<br /><br />“So you basically have to screw it up and then put it back together?” said Domino, “Sounds tricky.”<br /><br />“You have no idea,” groaned Storm.<br /><br />“But it’s working,” said Warpath as he shook off his daze, “I think we’re onto something here. Throw a little dirt onto this bullshit paradise and we have the advantage.”<br /><br />“You think the others know that?” asked Colossus.<br /><br />“We’ll share it with them when we meet up,” said Storm as she focused harder, “Get ready for a bumpy ride because I’m taking us to City X. We need to pull the plug on Magneto’s new world. We need to show him he’s vulnerable.”<br /><br />“In more ways than you think,” said Domino with a smirk.</i><br />
<br />
Getting X-men Supreme to this point has been a long, tedious journey. I’ve seen <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
go on a similar journey in the X-men comics. He’s someone who often
walks the line between a hero and a villain, but he’s at his best when
he taps into his villainous instincts to the utmost. It has made for
some of the most powerful moments in the history of X-men. I hope to
set up just such a moment in this fanfiction series, one that will
complete the journey <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> began back in X-men Supreme Volume 1: Mutant Revolution.<br />
<br />
I want that culmination to be the biggest and best
payoff it can possibly be. That’s why feedback and reviews at this
point are more critical than ever. Regardless of whether you’re a <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
fan, there’s no denying his influence on the X-men and the iconic
moments he has helped forge. I want to create such a moment in this
fanfiction series and I need to know I’m doing that right. Please, if
you can, take the time to provide me your feedback and your comments.
Either <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/contact.php">contact me</a>
directly or post them in previous issues. Either way is fine and I’d
love to hear from you. Until next time, take care and best wishes.
Xcelsior!<br />
<br />
JackJack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-1496982743147798012018-07-26T23:50:00.005-04:002018-07-26T23:50:51.520-04:00Righting the Romance and Loving the Love: Mr. and Mrs. X #1The following is my review of<i> Mr. and Mrs. X #1,</i> which was posted on <a href="http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/2018/07/26/exclusive-marvel-preview-x-men-gold-annual-2/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
<br />
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<br />
These are difficult times in the history of superhero romance and for a history that includes marrying clones, spousal abuse, and deals with Mephisto, that's saying something. The summer of 2018 will go down as the summer of failed weddings. Marvel spent months hyping up the marriage of Kitty Pryde and Colossus in <i>X-men Gold #30</i>. DC also got into the spirit by promising to finally tie the knot with Batman and Catwoman in <i>Batman #50</i>. In both cases, though, the ceremonies don't go as planned and not because Magneto or the Joker crashed the party.<br />
<br />
There is, however, one sliver of hope. Through the broken hearts and wasted wedding cake, one notable romance did manage to make their relationship official, tax benefits and all. Rogue and Gambit, a love story that will never be mistaken for a classic fairy tale, is now among the few superhero romances to make through the wedding.<br />
<br />
Their journey to this point is somewhat sudden in how quickly it unfolded. Rogue and Gambit's romantic history is full of drama, complete with moments where they part ways, hook up with others, and generally avoid each other. Then, comics writer Kelly Thompson gets them back on track with <i>Rogue and Gambit</i>. Almost overnight, in the context of comic book time, their relationship is serious and now it's venturing into territory that few outside Reed and Sue Richards have ever gone.<br />
<br />
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<br />
As the one who brought them together, it's fitting that Thompson is the one to continue the story of Rogue and Gambit's unique love story in <i>Mr. and Mrs. X #1</i>. Having come so far so fast, it's easy to forget how much emotional baggage these two still have. Thompson doesn't avoid that baggage. If anything, she confronts it head-on before the happy couple get to the sexier parts of married life. By doing so, it doesn't just make the wedding seem like some reckless impulse on which every Las Vegas wedding chapel is built upon. It feels like a genuine evolution of a convoluted, but genuine romance.<br />
<br />
The most important thing <i>Mr. and Mrs. X #1</i> does is expand on disappointing outcome of <i>X-men Gold #30</i>. This ends up being critical because without that added context, Rogue and Gambit's wedding comes off as something they just do on a whim and don't really think about. While good impulse control have never been a defining trait for Rogue or Gambit, a little extra effort goes a long way towards giving weight to their wedding.<br />
<br />
The fact that Thompson dedicates so much of the story to setting up the ceremony that already plays out in another issue shows that this marriage is serious. This isn't something that's going to get undone or overridden by time travelers or Mephisto, at least not yet. The fruits of that effort show in some of the sincere moments that Rogue has with Magik and Mystique, who makes a surprise appearance and doesn't attempt to shoot or seduce anyone for a change. It provides further proof that the Marvel universe is willing to give this marriage a chance.<br />
<br />
Rogue and Gambit's is allowed to happen without something blowing up. They're also allowed to go on their honeymoon without someone getting abducted. They're even allowed to get frisky in bed, making for some sexy scenes that give Oscar Bazaldua a chance to craft some R-rated content. There's nothing subtle about it, but it never gets too crude either. It makes for a solid balance of sincerity and sex appeal, a rare combination in any comic book romance that doesn't involve Catwoman.<br />
<br />
The majority of <i>Mr. and Mrs. X #1</i> is lacking in typical X-men conflict. From the beginning, Thompson and Bazaldua make clear that the purpose of the issue is to establish how serious the Rogue/Gambit marriage is. This isn't a gimmick. It's the next step for these two characters and the quirky romance that they've had since the mid-1990s. Eventually, a more standard X-men style conflict does enter the picture, but by that point, the romance is already easy to root for.<br />
<br />
The particulars of the conflict that interrupts the honeymoon, though, are somewhat generic. It involves the Shi'ar and requires that Rogue and Gambit squeeze a space battle in between their romantic sexy time. It's understandable that they're reluctant, but their willingness to accept the mission reveals something else that's important for any robust superhero marriage. Even after the wedding, they're still committed to being superheroes.<br />
<br />
That is probably the most important take-away from <i>Mr. and Mrs. X #1</i>. The heroism doesn't have to end once a couple ties the knot. Their status among heroes isn't diminished. The potential for new and intriguing conflicts isn't undercut, either. Contrary to many bad sitcoms, marriage doesn't have to be an endpoint. It can just as easily be a catalyst for something new.<br />
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<i>Mr. and Mrs. X #1</i> only offers a hint about what that something can be. With so much of the content dedicated to solidifying Rogue and Gambit's status as married superheroes, there's not much room for them forward in this issue. That's not a flaw, though. That's just a byproduct of insufficient ink and not enough pages. Even though the conflict with the Shi'ar isn't fleshed out, it does plenty to build intrigue for the rest of the series. The arrival of another unexpected, but relevant character in Rogue's life at the end only adds to it.<br />
<br />
<i>Mr. and Mrs. X #1</i> isn't just a comic about Rogue and Gambit getting married. There is a ceremony and it's plenty romantic, but that's only a small part of a much larger story that has been unfolding under Thompson since her <i>Rogue and Gambit</i> series. She dares to take a long-running romance that has never quite attained the iconic status of a Superman/Lois Lane and makes it more than just a colorful a sub-plot.<br />
<br />
The idea of putting a romance at the forefront of a plot is not new. Doing it in a way that doesn't feel like a gimmick or forced melodrama is something that superhero comics, and even superhero movies to some extent, have been struggling with for years. <i>Mr. and Mrs. X #1</i> may not start a trend, but it definitively proves that it can be done and the results can be both romantic and sexy.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Final Score: 8 out of 10</b></u></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-9786855436577043432018-07-20T00:25:00.000-04:002018-07-20T00:25:56.687-04:00The Red Queen Chronicles: The Lost Son Part 3 is LIVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Whenever I plan one of my sexy side-projects, I'm never quite sure whether it'll generate the kind of reaction I hope for. Most of the time, I'm just grateful that it generates any reaction at all. I've done projects that I thought were sexy as hell, but didn't get a single comment. Thankfully, "The Red Queen Chronicles" hasn't been one of them and the response to "The Red Queen Chronicles: The Lost Son," has done plenty to exceed my expectations.<br />
<br />
The previous chapter, especially, garnered a lot of positive comments. Who knew that a scenario involving Daken and Jean getting extra rough with each other would be received so well? I know that sounds obvious in hindsight, but I was genuinely astonished by how much people responded to that scene. It gives me high hopes for some of the other sexy moments I have planned in this story.<br />
<br />
It's not over. There's still plenty of action left, sexy and otherwise. Jean may have "subdued" Daken, but there's still the matter of Romulus and a pheromone-controlled Wolverine to deal with. It's going to get rough, messy, and sexy before all is said and done. I only hope the events in this latest chapter are just as satisfying to those who enjoyed the last one. Also, to those who left such wonderful comments, I sincerely thank you.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/14874152/chapters/35631228" target="_blank">The Red Queen Chronicles: The Lost Son</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/14874152/chapters/35631228" target="_blank">Chapter 3: Carnal and Cunning</a></b></span></div>
<br />
I can confirm that there will be one more chapter in this story. I can also confirm that this chapter will involve Daken so rest assured, I'm not done utilizing his sex appeal. For reasons that are now painfully obvious, his unique sex appeal has really resonated and I hope to make the most of it in this story. Nuff said!Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-87624333804486978942018-07-19T16:02:00.000-04:002018-07-19T16:02:06.173-04:00Conflicts, Musings, and Marvelous Insights: The Life of Captain Marvel #1The following is my review of<i> The Life of Captain Marvel #1,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/life-of-captain-marvel-1-2587960473.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
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No character becomes iconic without going through a process. Sometimes, it happens unexpectedly. It's hard to imagine that Stan Lee knew Spider-Man's when he first introduced him in the pages of <i>Amazing Fantasy #15</i>. Most heroes only gain that status through a combination of luck, appeal, and growth. In the case of Carol Danvers, these factors aren't always present. In fact, throughout her history, she makes due with limited opportunities. In a world that contains the likes of Spider-Man, Captain America, and Wolverine, that's understandable.<br />
<br />
Then, Kelly Sue DeConnick comes along and takes Carol Danvers to new heights with her run on <i>Captain Marvel</i> in 2012. After years as a supporting character stuck in niche roles, Carol finally establishes herself as someone worthy of being in the upper levels of Marvel's pantheon of icons. By shedding her former title and embracing that of Captain Marvel, she becomes someone who can hold her own in landscape crowded with notable names. That ascension isn't always smooth and even stalls somewhat due to the events of <i>Civil War II</i>, but it brings out the complexities of a character that finally has a chance to realize her full potential.<br />
<br />
With an elevated role and an upcoming movie starting Brie Larson on the way, there's a greater sense of urgency for Marvel to maximize the appeal of Captain Marvel. Margaret Stohl, who has been doing most of the heavy lifting on Carol's story after DeConnick's departure, has an opportunity to add new layers to Captain Marvel's ongoing growth through <i>The Life of Captain Marvel #1</i>. It's not so much a re-telling of Carol's origins as it is an expansion. <br />
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It's a new bridge between the present and the past of a character whose story isn't as well-known as the Peter Parkers and Steve Rogers of the world. That gives Stohl an opportunity to build on the non-alien portion of Carol's story and she really runs with it. There aren't any epic space battles, Hydra agents, or Hulk-like monsters. Most of the story takes place in Harpswell, Maine. It's not the Kree home world, but just being there ends up hitting Carol harder than a fleet of Kree warships.<br />
<br />
She doesn't go there for the sake of nostalgia, though. What prompts this homecoming is actually something more personal. It has nothing to do with a high school bully or a childhood crush. It has everything to do with it being Father's Day, which makes Carol relieve some very unpleasant memories. However, these are not the kinds of daddy issues that make for one too many John Hughes movies. It serves as the basis for one of the biggest upheavals in Carol Danvers' life and it doesn't even involve aliens.<br />
<br />
It's a stark contrast to the standard narrative surrounding Carol since she took the mantle of Captain Marvel. Part of embracing that title means flying higher and looking forward, something Carol rarely hesitates to do when there are aliens and Hydra soldiers to punch. She's a tough, driven woman who just happens to have the kind of power and grit to go farther than most people imagine. The idea of her still being anchored by unresolved issues in the past seems antithetical to the arc she's been on for the past several years. However, that's exactly what her character needs.<br />
<br />
That's not just because she has a movie coming out in March 2019. Carol eagerness to lead the charge into a fight makes her one of Marvel's most prominent superheroes, as well as an inspiration and a leader. It also rarely puts her in a position to confront old scars, of which she has a few. For years, the most notable issue she deals with was alcoholism. Stohl doesn't try to revisit that. Instead, she establishes a new issue that links the past and the present.<br />
<br />
That past is largely driven by her father and his not-so-heroic temper. The present deals in the consequences he left in his wake, the most painful of which is felt by Carol's brother, Joe Junior. What happens to him as he reconnects with Carol puts her in a situation where she can't just fight her way out it like Captain Marvel. She can't just fly away, either. She has to stick around in this place that brings up so many unpleasant memories. For someone who works with the likes of Tony Stark, Hulk, and skilled sorcerers, that's saying something.<br />
<br />
As a result, Stohl provides some overdue, but welcome insight into Carol Danvers. Her experiences with her family and her reaction to the tragedies that unfold do more to humanize her. It's not just that she interacts with her family and espouses her love of donuts. She willingly opens old wounds and reveals that, for all her power and bravado, she still struggles to cope. It provides a new context for who she is as a person rather than an accomplished superhero. The fact she is so annoyed by Harpswell using her history there to promote tourism reveals that there's a disconnect between Carol Danvers and Captain Marvel.<br />
<br />
It's a struggle that affects Peter Parker every other day as Spider-Man. It's also a struggle that Kamala Khan, Carol's biggest fan, is just starting to learn as Ms. Marvel. Carol may give the impression that she's beyond those issues of less experienced heroes, but <i>The Life of Captain Marvel #1</i> shows that's not the case. It also hints that there are other complications she doesn't know about that may deepen those wounds. There's even a hint that aliens are involved, which is in keeping with Carol's tendency to attract other worldly trouble.<br />
<br />
It also provides another potential link between the present and the past. It even promises to expand on the issues with her father, which is critical if he's going to be more than just a generic abuser with the depth of a Hydra foot soldier. The potential for major revelations, as well as space battles mixed with personal upheaval, is certainly there. The details are somewhat vague, almost to an excessive degree. However, it does more than enough to set up a more nuanced battle for Carol that can't be blown up or attributed to alcoholism.<br />
<br />
There are some narratives that work in any time or place in a character's development. Sometimes, though, having it unfold at a certain time within a certain context makes it even more effective. <i>The Life of Captain Marvel #1</i> gets the timing, the context, and everything in between just right for Carol Danvers. It feels like one of those defining stories that needs to be told before a character can be elevated to the same level of a Captain America or Iron Man. Carol is already ascending and with Brie Larson set to bring her to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's safe to say she's almost there.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Final Score: 9 out of 10</u></b></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-64756325176059036222018-07-17T21:38:00.003-04:002018-07-17T21:38:54.075-04:00Mixed Matrimonial Machinations: Batman #50The following is my review of<i> Batman #50,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/batman-50-dc-comics-2585847346.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
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Superheroes are like young 80s rock stars at the height of their fame in that it's hard to imagine them settling down. Their lives are so chaotic, hectic, and prone to death/resurrection that just having an opportunity to get married is an achievement few get. Even for those who make it that far, there are a great many forces working against superhero couples. Some are there before they even get to the honeymoon. Others pay a high price for even trying. Just ask Peter Parker.<br />
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If there's one superhero who is capable of beating those odds, though, it's Batman. He has no powers, a long list of personal issues, and a colorful history with multiple women. At the same time, though, doing the impossible without the aid of Kryptonian biology is one of his most defining traits. It doesn't matter if marriage is too challenging for superheroes. He's Batman.<br />
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That's not to say the challenges he faces aren't daunting. Batman is no Wolverine, but he's no Superman either. Batman is one of those characters who does plenty to attract women, but just as much to push them away. It's part of his mystique as the Dark Knight and most women can't handle that. Catwoman, however, is not most women. In the same way he's in a unique position to defy the traditions of superhero matrimony, Catwoman is uniquely equipped to both handle those rigors and thrive.<br />
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Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle may not share the same star-crossed love story that Superman and Lois Lane enjoy, but that only makes the prospect of their wedding in <i>Batman #50</i> more meaningful. After the heartbreak in another recent wedding event in <i>X-me Gold #30</i>, a successful culmination feels necessary, if only to avoid starting a less-than-romantic trend in superhero weddings.<br />
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In many respects, Batman and Catwoman have much more going for them than Colossus and Kitty Pryde. These characters have a history that spans decades. At times, they go their separate ways, which helps them develop as individuals. Now, after all the excuses and complications, they have an opportunity to come together in a way that both solidifies their relationship and grant them generous tax benefits.<br />
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Once again, however, the promise of a heartfelt, tearful wedding full of joyous catharsis does not occur. Despite Batman being up for that challenge, finally taking that step into uncharted territories that so many superheroes and rock stars avoid, the wedding doesn't go through. However, it's not Batman who calls it off. Catwoman is the one who ends it.<br />
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Like Kitty Pryde in <i>X-men Gold #30</i>, she waited until the last possible second. Unlike Kitty Pryde, though, the story surrounding it doesn't feel as forced or heartbreaking. It even dares to leave a sliver of hope that there are other forces at work besides someone just changing their mind. What <i>X-men Gold #30</i> failed to deliver, <i>Batman #50</i> manages to salvage to some extent. It still comes off as a dramatic letdown, but Tom King puts some substance behind it.<br />
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The bulk of the story doesn't focus on the ceremony itself or the less-than-memorable way it plays out. Instead, King sets the stage by exploring the long road Batman and Catwoman take to get to this moment, utilizing imagery from multiple eras of Batman from a cast of artists that includes Neal Adams, Greg Capullo, Rafael Albuquerque, and many others. Within these memorable moments are insights that put Batman's feelings for Catwoman into a context that gives a unique weight to ultimate outcome of the wedding.<br />
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Batman is the world's greatest detective and incredibly skilled at reading people, specifically criminals. Catwoman is a criminal by most measures, but when he reads her, he doesn't see the same traits he sees in the likes of the Penguin, the Joker, or the Riddler. The same goes for Catwoman in that when she sees him, she doesn't react the same way most criminals do. She's someone Batman can't use his detective skills to define and he's someone who transforms the pain of childhood trauma into acts of heroism that put put him on the tip tier of the Justice League.<br />
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These insights establish how these two feel about each other. Nothing is assumed or overlooked. As a result, Catwoman's decision to leave Batman at the altar doesn't feel forced. It never comes off as melodrama for the sake of melodrama. She gives a reason rather than an excuse, one that builds directly on the events of her clash with the Joker in <i>Batman #49</i>.<br />
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To some extent, Catwoman makes a valid point for keeping Batman single. Granted, it's a point the Joker practically shoves in her face beforehand, but it fits with how she feels about him and how she sees him. To her, a happily married Batman means he doesn't have that same pain that he can channel into being the Dark Knight. Marrying him means denying Gotham the hero it needs to survive.<br />
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It still comes off as callous because she waits until they're in their wedding attire to make her decision, but added context of her and Batman's reflections helps keep the narrative from collapsing completely. It doesn't give the impression that all the build-up that begins with Batman's proposal in <i>Batman #24</i> is now completely meaningless. That story is still intact, but the way things play out in <i>Batman #50</i> really complicate things.<br />
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There are details within those complications, though, that leave the door open for some happiness, at least to the extent that's possible with Batman. There's a potential for greater drama, but there's just as much potential for tragedy. Even though tragedy is one of Batman's defining traits, it can also be redundant. Rather than culminate the story of Batman and Catwoman's romance, <i>Batman #50</i> promises to drag it out even more. For two characters whose love affair spans eight decades, that comes off as pretty bland.<br />
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Even with the outcome, though, the fact that Batman and Catwoman make it this far feels like an accomplishment. <i>Batman #50</i> is presented as a triumph that was decades in the making, but ends up being a prelude to even more strife. It offers powerful revelations for two iconic characters and reaffirms why they keep finding each other.<br />
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It doesn't undercut or subvert the merit of superhero marriage, but it certainly reveals how difficult it is. Colossus and Kitty Pryde find that out in the hardest, most shallow way possible in <i>X-men Gold #30</i>. Batman and Catwoman find that out in a way that's still part of a larger story in <i>Batman #50</i>. In that sense, there may still be hope for superhero weddings.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Final Score: 6 out of 10</b></u></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-70852837104997260482018-07-13T05:21:00.000-04:002018-07-13T05:21:01.087-04:00X-men Supreme Issue 171: High Evolution Part 3 is LIVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The X-men have a long list of iconic and memorable villains. I’ve
utilized plenty in the X-men Supreme fanfiction series, including the
lesser known ones like <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v6i129.php">Mojo</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v3i54.php">Bastion</a>. I even created one of my own in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v4i84.php">The Cambrian Explosion</a>. However, for as long as the X-men are relevant, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
will always be the most compelling villain. He’s been a driving force
of X-men Supreme since the earliest days of this fanfiction series.
From their first encounter in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i3.php">X-men Supreme Issue 3: Competition</a> to <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> disappearance after the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v4i96.php">Time Bomb</a> arc, his actions have guided the path of this fanfiction series.<br />
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That path is almost at its end. The <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> mark is set to be the kind of showdown that will determine whether the future of the X-men and the mutant race belongs to <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> or <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>. I know that seems to happen with <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
and the X-men every other week in the X-men comics. Believe me, I’m as
aware of that as any X-men fan. That’s why I mean it when I say that
this arc is an endgame of sorts for <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>. What happens here will be definitive, more so than anything you’ll get in an X-men comic.<br />
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It’s the culmination of a story that has been folding since I began X-men Supreme back in 2010. From the moment <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> founded <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i4.php">the Brotherhood of Mutants</a>, he has had a plan and a vision in mind. Like <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>,
he sees the future of humans and mutants as a collision course, of
sorts. There’s no avoiding it. There’s no getting around it. At some
point, someone has to confront it. He knows what <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Xavier</a>
and the X-men want. He doesn’t believe that’s sufficient. That’s why
he has teamed up with the High Evolutionary. Already, they’re putting
themselves in a position to change the course of humans, mutants, and
all life on Earth.<br />
<br />
Together, he and the High Evolutionary have already done
plenty to disrupt the current situation. They re-emerged at a time
when the X-men are locked in a bitter divide between <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a>. They’re also hitting at a time when nobody feels safe. Romulus decimated the world’s defenses in the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a> arc. Neither <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly</a> nor <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/general_grimshaw.php">General Grimshaw</a> feel like they have the answers anymore. They’re all reeling and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> is offering a way out.<br />
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However, as is often the case with <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>, things are never as they seem. His vision almost always comes at a price, one much higher than anything <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and his X-men are willing to pay. The nature of that price isn’t yet clear. So far, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
and the High Evolutionary have delivered on their promises, welcoming
the entire mutant race and one million lucky humans into a new world
they carved out of Asteroid M. From this world, they hope to start anew
with a new race of mutants and mutated humans.<br />
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The only ones who is completely unconvinced of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> efforts are <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/scarlet_witch.php">Scarlet Witch</a>.
Knowing the stakes couldn’t be higher, the X-men and X-Force have put
aside their differences and come together for this fateful mission.
Given the extent of the divide and the mistakes they’ve made throughout
X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided, they couldn’t be more
vulnerable. Now, as the full extent of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a>
vision emerges, they’ll have to make some difficult decisions that
will come at a price. The extent of that price will become very clear
in this issue.<br />
<h2 align="center">
<b><a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i171.php">X-men Supreme Issue 171: High Evolution Part 3</a></b></h2>
This is the point in the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> arc where the conflict erupts and the stage is set for the final confrontation. It’s the X-men versus <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>
against his old friend. It’s a classic clash, one that has come to
define the X-men over the years. I hope to capture that spirit in this
fateful story within X-men Supreme. However, expect a few twists and
turns along the way. The outcome is probably not one anyone is
expecting, aside from those who have come to know this fanfiction
series well.<br />
<br />
I’m making the extra effort to ensure that the High
Evolution arc is the biggest high point to date in X-men Supreme. It’s
by far one of the most ambitious stories I’ve told in this fanfiction
series to date. That’s why it’s more critical that I get extra feedback
here. This issue is the start of a much bigger clash that’s set to
conclude very soon. I need to know that I’m doing it right so please
take the time to <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/comments.php?write=v7i171">post comments in the issue</a> or <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/contact.php">contact me</a> directly. Either way is fine and I’m always happy to chat. Until next time, take care and best wishes. Xcelsior!<br />
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JackJack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-28191065109214734262018-07-12T17:56:00.002-04:002018-07-12T21:32:39.523-04:00Back To Brutal Basics: X-23 #1The following is my review of<i> X-23 #1,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/marvel-x-23-1-2585845346.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
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On paper, the arc of a superhero is supposed to move forward with progress and growth occurring along the way. In practice, however, there are a lot of setbacks, regression, and pitfalls, but not all of them involve dying and coming back to life every once in a while. Certain characters have an iconic status built on decades of evolution, eventually settling into a particular status quo that best reflects who they are and the breadth of their appeal. To that extent, Laura "X-23" Kinney is still evolving.<br />
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Her story can't be considered new anymore, having played a part in a major X-men movie and held down multiple solo runs from the likes of Marjorie Liu and Tom Taylor. She also can't be classified as old, either. Her growth has been rapid since her debut in the <i>X-men: Evolution</i> cartoon, but her story tends to undergo more shifts than most.<br />
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There are times when Laura seeks to avoid the violent conditioning she endured under her creators, seeking to build a normal life, to the extent that anyone related to Wolverine can have one. She also goes through periods where she attempts to channel those violent skills for heroic purposes, just like Wolverine has. After taking the mantle of Wolverine for a time under Tom Taylor, Laura is at a point where she no longer hides from her bloody past or her violent skills. However, she still has some growing to do and not just because she has a little sister and a pet wolverine.<br />
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This is the situation that Mariko Tamaki and Juan Cabal inherit in <i>X-23 #1</i>. Laura's past is still chasing her and her future is still in flux. She has more to lose now than she did before with Gabby in her life. Even though she's still a teenager, she can't afford to be as irresponsible as most teenagers, as the Peter Parkers and Kamala Khans of the world can attest. Between having the baggage of Logan's legacy and dealing with an overly-energetic sister with a pet wolverine, Laura has her work cut out for her.<br />
<br />
Tamaki and Cabal still have her pushing forward. The stakes are pretty standard for any clone/daughter of Wolverine. There are still people in the Marvel universe who think it's a good idea to clone Logan and make living weapons. How anyone can still believe that will lead to anything other than a brutal death is laughable, if not absurd at this point. Nobody even tries to make excuses. They're just willing fodder for Laura's continued evolution.<br />
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While the setup is basic, involving a generic threat with ties to Alchemax, Tamaki doesn't focus too much on the slashing and stabbing that's standard for any X-23 series. Those moments are there. There's even a hulking lizard man thrown into the mix, which helps mix things up from the standard hired goons that Laura is known for decimating. However, the real meat of the story is in Laura's personal journey.<br />
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As she's navigating the standard Wolverine-styled action sequences with Gabby, she reflects on her upcoming birthday. Being a clone, that brings complications that have little to do with cake frosting. Laura starts out with mixed, but ambivalent feelings on the matter. She initially gives the impression that it's not a big deal. Gabby, as she's been doing since she showed up in All-New Wolverine, gets her to reconsider and is lovably adorable every step of the way.<br />
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It also helps that Laura and Gabby aren't the only clones dealing with identity issues and birthday drama. After meeting up with Beast at the Xavier Institute, they cross paths with the Stepford Cuckoos. As it just so happens, they're celebrating their birthday. That helps make birthdays, in general, a bigger issue and one that acts as a catalyst for the story, albeit indirectly.<br />
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As is often the case with plots involving clones and living weapons, there's a larger agenda unfolding behind the scenes, even before the stabbing starts. It involves Alchemax, but it also involves the Stepford Cuckoos as well. Tamaki even digs a bit into the Cuckoos' history, some of which hasn't been referenced since the latter end of Grant Morrison's run on <i>New X-men</i>. It helps raise the stakes and complicates Laura's new mission. Unlike lizard men throwing trucks, this isn't an issue she can resolve with her claws.<br />
<br />
While the connection between Laura's mission and the Cuckoos is established, things don't get violent that quickly. Things even diverge somewhat as Laura debates the merits of birthdays while the Cuckoos reveal some affiliations that would probably not sit well with any former living weapon. There's a distinct sense of inevitability that emerges once the agenda of the Cuckoos emerge. Even though part of it still involves celebrating a birthday, it seems unavoidable that they're going to clash with Laura and Gabby.<br />
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That conflict doesn't manifest initially and that's not necessarily a bad thing. <i>X-23 #1</i> spends more time exploring how Laura sees herself as she continues to navigate a world where she's technically an escaped lab experiment. Her reservations about making a big deal about her birthday reveal that she still struggles with an identity crisis on some levels. She keeps trying to forge her own path, but can't escape the fact that she's a clone. The Stepford Cuckoos are in the same boat, although their efforts don't come off nearly as healthy.<br />
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It's a struggle that has been plaguing Laura since her creation, but the fact that she's at a point where she's uncertain about the merits of birthdays still counts as progress on some levels. While the details surrounding the plot are still fairly standard, <i>X-23 #1</i> still succeeds in sending the message that Laura is still evolving and she's even making progress. Having a quirky little sister with a pet wolverine actually helps more than it complicates things.<br />
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Some of that progress still comes off as only partial, though. While <i>X-23 #1</i> does plenty to create new conflicts, it leaves a lot of unanswered questions. There's no explanation as to why Laura is going by X-23 instead of Wolverine. There's also little in terms of connections to the larger X-men continuity. Even though Laura and Gabby are current members of <i>X-men Red</i>, this affiliation has no real impact.<br />
<br />
The story still succeeds enough in terms of putting Laura on a new path, one that will likely affect how she approaches future birthdays. Her growth, as a character, is beyond dispute at this point. She is every bit as entrenched in the X-men comics as Logan, Deadpool, and Doop. She still has plenty of room to grow and if she can just start seeing the world the same way Gabby sees snack food, then she'll be just fine.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Final Score: 7 out of 10</b></u></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-79002809072462346462018-07-06T05:41:00.000-04:002018-07-06T05:41:44.604-04:00X-men Supreme Issue 171: High Evolution Part 3 PREVIEW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
These are desperate times for the X-men Supreme fanfiction series. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> is back with the mysterious High Evolutionary at his side. After <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v4i96.php">disappearing at the conclusion</a>
of X-men Supreme Volume 4: Politics of Fear, he’s returned with both
his sanity and his willingness to end the human/mutant conflict once
and for all. Whether it’s in the X-men comics or a fanfiction series,
this is and always has been <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> ultimate endgame. He doesn’t just seek to confront the issue. He seeks to win it for all of mutant kind.<br />
<br />
That has dire implications for <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Professor Xavier</a> and his X-men. They’ve already had a taste of those implications through clashes in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i17.php">Uprising</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v2i38.php">Overlord</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v3i70.php">Kings and Tyrants</a>, and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v4i84.php">the Cambrian Explosion</a>. At every turn, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
has shown a willingness to take bold chances and sacrifice innocent
lives. His drive to solidify mutants as the dominant species on the
planet is without parallel. Since X-men Supreme began, this is what
I’ve built around <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a> character.<br />
<br />
From the earliest days of X-men Supreme Volume 1: Mutant Revolution, I’ve had an endgame in mind for <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>. It has changed and evolved over the years as this fanfiction series has developed. I knew that at some point, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> would have a chance to either achieve his ultimate goal or suffer complete defeat. The plans he hatched from <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i17.php">Uprising</a> to <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v4i84.php">the Cambrian Explosion</a> were stages, of sorts. To him, they were supposed to make the process of mutant ascension easier. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and his X-men made sure they weren’t.<br />
<br />
The plan he has in mind for <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> is on a very different level. It is, and always has been, his ultimate backup plan. This is <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a>
final recourse if the rest of his plans didn’t pan out or didn’t
achieve what he wanted. That means he has left nothing to chance. He’s
done everything within his considerable power to prevent <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Xavier</a> and his X-men from thwarting him. Don’t expect him to make mistakes this time.<br />
<br />
If that weren’t bad enough, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
is striking at a time when the X-men are at their weakest. Since the
beginning of X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided, there has been a
schism between <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a>. While <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Xavier</a> still leads the X-men under the Mutant Monitoring Initiative alongside <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/general_grimshaw.php">General Grimshaw</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a>
has formed his own team in X-Force. Their disagreement over the future
of mutants have led to great upheavals, culminating in the recent
attacks by Romulus in <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a>.<br />
<br />
Those upheavals left the X-men and X-Force weakened. They also gave <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> the perfect opportunity to send his message to an anxious, vulnerable world. Despite <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v2i42.php">his past efforts to destroy the human race</a>,
many have heeded his calls. Many have jumped at the chance to join his
ultimate plan to create a new world for mutants. One million lucky
souls even managed to board transports that took them to this world,
which he calls Asteroid M. The only price was that they had to become
mutants.<br />
<br />
However, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> and his X-men know <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a>
history better than anyone. They know that there’s always a higher
price behind the promise. That price, combined with the unknowns
surrounding the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a>,
have created a situation that will push the X-men to their limits and
beyond at the worst possible time. With the next issue, that time is
just about to run out. As always, I’ve prepared a preview that should hint at just how bad it's going to get for the X-men. <br />
<br />
<i>“So where are you blokes from?” asked Psylocke to several new mutants as they lounged near the lake.<br /><br />“Seoul, South Korea,” answered one with bluish-gray skin.<br /><br />“Rome, Italy,” said a woman with glowing eyes.<br /><br />“Johannesburg, South Africa,” said a young man no older than 13.<br /><br />“New Jersey. If you don’t know the country, then how the fuck did you make it here?” said a stocky, middle-aged man wearing sunglasses.<br /><br />Psylocke rolled her eyes. While many had undergone dramatic changes, some still hadn’t evolved out of their personality.<br /><br />“And what made you want to come here?” she asked them.<br /><br />“Life back home wasn’t getting any better,” said the South Korean solemnly, “I never fit in with my family or friends. I was always an outcast.”<br /><br />“Same here. Plus, I had a criminal record that I could not escape,” said the Italian woman.<br /><br />“I probably would have had one if I had stayed. That’s why my mother jumped at the first opportunity to get me here,” said the South African boy.<br /><br />“So where’s your mom now? She get powers that make her invisible or something?” asked the guy from New Jersey.<br /><br />“Actually…yes,” said the boy with a humored grin.<br /><br />In a brief flash that caused the man to drop his beer, the boy’s mother appeared in front of him. She had been testing her new powers and returned to her son just in time to startle the immature man. It earned a round of laughs from the others. Even Psylocke found herself laughing. <br /><br />They all had reasons for leaving Earth. Most of these reasons were perfectly valid. It seemed worth the price of becoming a mutant. So far, there had been no ill-effects of such a choice. That still didn’t mean it wasn’t a possibility and that’s what led Psylocke to probe deeper.<br /><br />While Psylocke continued interacting with random people, the rest of the group surveyed the lake from afar. They saw few signs of distress. Everyone seemed perfectly happy with their new lives so far. If there was a threat, it wasn’t obvious just yet.<br /><br />“How much longer is Psylocke going to keep mingling?” asked Domino, “Is this just her way of filling the void while her boyfriend is stuck on injured reserve?”<br /><br />“You’re compassion for your fellow teammates is impeccable, Domino,” said Warpath dryly.<br /><br />“It wasn’t an insult. I don’t get what she hopes to gain here. I’m starting to think we’re wasting our time.”<br /><br />“It’s never a waste to make connections,” said Colossus.<br /><br />“Sounds like a motto from the Russian mob,” quipped Domino.<br /><br />“It is,” said the Russian, “These people did not conspire with Magneto from the beginning. They heard his call and they followed it. That makes them potential allies.”<br /><br />“And enemies,” noted Warpath.<br /><br />“That is true, but that only makes our efforts more important,” said Colossus, “If Kitty was here, she would point out that by making these people mutants, Magneto has effectively created a million-mutant army for himself.”<br /><br />“And she would probably tell that right to everyone’s faces as well so maybe it’s a good thing she’s not here,” said Domino, which earned him a look from Colossus.<br /><br />The team chemistry was still a work-in-progress. Joining X-Force with the X-men so abruptly made for a difficult transition. There was still tension between the two teams. It remained unspoken for the most part as they tried to stay focused on the mission. That was easier for some more than others.<br /><br />“You’ve been pretty quiet, Storm. What’s your take? Are we wasting our time here or what?” asked Warpath.<br /><br />“I wish I could offer some input, but I’ve been a bit distracted here,” said Storm, who kept shifting uncomfortably as she looked around.<br /><br />“Is that because Warpath works up a sweat when he’s paranoid?” joked Domino, earning her yet another harsh scold.<br /><br />“It’s because this artificial environment feels so…mechanical,” she said.<br /><br />“Mechanical?” questioned Warpath.<br /><br />“I wish Beast were here to offer a nine-syllable word to describe it. That’s all I can come up with because that’s how it feels to me,” she said as she gazed out over the lake, “My powers are closely connected to the forces of nature. However, there’s nothing natural about these forces. This lake, the sky, the air, the winds…they’re all so artificial.”<br /><br />“How is it any different than the Danger Room?” asked Colossus.<br /><br />“The Danger Room as a certain intricacy to it,” Storm went on, “That’s why it never bothers me. But everything here on Asteroid M feels like it’s guided. Every light breeze feels as though something or someone was placing it there.”<br /><br />“Magneto always struck me as a control freak,” commented Warpath.<br /><br />“Not like this,” she said, her voice sounding more distressed, “Magneto is the master of magnetism. Not the master of nature. I just don’t like how this feels. It’s like at any given moment, everything within this Asteroid could turn on us.”<br /><br />Storm hugged her shoulders as more light breezes swept across the lake. Every other mutant seemed to enjoy it while it sent a shiver up the African woman’s spine. Warpath offered a comforting gesture, which tempted Domino to make another comment. A stern look from Colossus helped restrain her. If what Storm sensed was real, then it may offer some telling clues.<br /><br />While they mused over Storm’s insights, Psylocke returned from her conversations with these new mutants. She looked just as unnerved as Storm. Apparently making connections hadn’t set her mind at ease.<br /><br />“What’s wrong, Psylocke? Are the locals busting your chops that much?” asked Domino.<br /><br />“Not really,” said Psylocke as she looked back at the five individuals she had just met, “In fact, everybody has been very polite. Even the ones who hated mutants before seem to have done an about face.”<br /><br />“So then why do you look like they just threatened to drown you in this lake?” asked Warpath suspiciously.<br /><br />“It’s their minds,” said Psylocke strongly, “They all sound like they’re completely in control of their faculties. However, I can’t pick up on any stray thoughts.”<br /><br />“Could their minds be shielded?” asked Colossus.<br /><br />“If they were, then I would have sensed it the moment we arrived,” Betsy reasoned, “They may have just gained amazing new powers, but they’re still ordinary blokes. There’s no way that every one of them could effectively guard their thoughts like this.”<br /><br />“I take this means we may be dealing with a powerful psychic,” said Warpath.<br /><br />“That’s where it gets even trickier,” she said cryptically, “Their minds may function normally, but the nuts and bolts don’t feel normal. If anything, they feel…”<br /><br />“Artificial?” offered Storm.<br /><br />Psylocke looked at Storm with a raised eyebrow. It sounded like she wasn’t the only one sensing this. It added to the mystery as well as the potential for danger.<br /><br />“Since English is not my first language to begin with, I will assume that this is cause for concern,” said Colossus.<br /><br />“It may run deeper than that, luv,” said Psylocke, “This whole world has the making of an elaborate circus act. Everything looks like a natural ecosystem. It may even function like one. But there’s definitely some other force at work here.”<br /><br />“Then I suppose the important questions for us are how is it being controlled and who is doing the controlling?” said Storm.<br /><br />“Why do we even need to ask who?” questioned Domino, “This is Magneto’s ploy last I checked.”<br /><br />“That’s one assumption we probably shouldn’t make right now,” said Psylocke, “We know the kind of damage Magneto can is capable of. It’s the High Evolutionary that has me really worried.” </i><br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a>
arc is a culmination of a great many stories I’ve been developing over
the course of the X-men Supreme fanfiction series. The X-men comics
make numerous attempts at stories on that scale. Some never come to
pass. Others have made for some of the greatest moments in the history
of X-men. I want X-men Supreme to capture the spirit of the latter.
That’s what I hope to do with this finals showdown between the X-men
and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>.<br />
<br />
The past, present, and future of this fanfiction series is about to
change in a major way. Those changes are always risky in the X-men
comics. The same holds true for X-men Supreme. As such, it’s more
important than ever that I continue to get feedback. Please take the
time to send me your reviews in whatever form you can. Either post them
directly in the issue or <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/contact.php">contact me</a>. Either way is fine as long as you review. Until next time, take care and best wishes. Xcelsior!<br />
<br />
JackJack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-34097258593012585612018-06-29T01:40:00.000-04:002018-06-29T01:40:48.050-04:00The Red Queen Chronicles: The Lost Son Part 2 is LIVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bb/65/e6/bb65e6c851e9894d03636f8ddcf5469c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="566" height="320" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bb/65/e6/bb65e6c851e9894d03636f8ddcf5469c.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
I know waiting sucks, especially when you're waiting for something sexy. People tend to get impatient when they're horny. That's just an inescapable fact. I knew when I began writing "The Red Queen Chronicles: The Lost Son" that it was going to take multiple chapters to both tell the story and maximize the sex appeal. I also knew that the process would require some lengthy waiting for those eager to see Daken enter this sexy world I've created.<br />
<br />
To those loyal and passionate readers, I apologize. I know the wait has been difficult. You have been extra vocal with your feedback on the first chapter. It ended up being more feedback than I expected. Apparently, the promise of Daken taking part in a story that involves Jean Grey, Emma Frost, and Mary Jane Watson has people extra excited. I want to say I'm surprised, but just typing that out makes it too obvious.<br />
<br />
I understand the first chapter was somewhat shorter than usual and it really left things on a cliffhanger. Again, I apologize, but I have every intention of making that wait worthwhile. This latest chapter is going to have plenty of juicy content that was worth the extra time and effort. Yes, I know that's a kinky choice of words, given the nature of these stories. No, I'm not apologizing for that.<br />
<br />
This latest chapter contains a few details and themes that multiple readers have asked about in the past. To those readers, I hope this delivers. Now, some of them are a bit darker than usual. However, I made an effort to not let it get too dark. It's a challenge to balance out the sexiness with the serious overtones. I think I've achieved that here.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/14874152/chapters/34978796" target="_blank">The Red Queen Chronicles: The Lost Son</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/14874152/chapters/34978796" target="_blank">Chapter 2: Dangerous Games</a></b></span></div>
<br />
This chapter really raises the stakes and steps up the sexier themes of this story. There's still more to come, though. There are a couple more chapters in the works, each containing more juicy content of the kinky variety. I know the wait won't be easy, but I intend to make it worthwhile. Thanks again to all those who have supported this story. I hope you feel your patience has been rewarded.Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-45985775923112873252018-06-28T16:57:00.003-04:002018-06-28T16:57:23.221-04:00Milestones, Achievements, and Slumber Parties: Ms. Marvel #31The following is my review of<i> Ms. Marvel #31,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/ms-marvel-31-2581899633.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Every now and then, a popular character comes along who reveals more about the audience than the world they inhabit. Over the past five years, few characters have proved more revealing than Kamala Khan and it's not just because she takes a moniker once held by Carol Danvers. A big part of her appeal comes from her being a self-proclaimed superhero fan. Before she gets her powers, she carries herself the same way many fans in the real world do, writing fan fiction and participating in debates on message boards over who can lift Thor's hammer.<br />
<br />
Another part of her appeal comes from her reflecting the growing diversity of the real world. She's the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, a practicing Muslim, and resides in a community where she is both a minority and an outsider. She deals with all that on top of being a teenager. Even before she gets her powers, Kamala deals with her share of struggles. Even with all the controversies surrounding diversity in media, Kamala stands out as someone people of all backgrounds can relate to and cheer for.<br />
<br />
This sets a celebratory tone for <i>Ms. Marvel #31</i>, which marks the 50th overall issue of the series since its debut in 2015. While fairly recent in the context of the Marvel Universe, which spans five decades and multiple <i>Secret Wars</i>, Kamala Khan's impact still stands out more than most. To celebrate that achievement, G. Willow Wilson gathers a sizable cast of writers that include Saladin Ahmed and Rainbow Rowell to tell a story befitting of that growth. The fact it happens in the context of both a slumber party among teenage girls and a milestone issue only seems too fitting.<br />
<br />
In the context of a milestone issue for a teenage superhero, a slumber party is a fitting setup. It gives Kamala a chance to be Kamala instead of Ms. Marvel for a while. She assembles several female friends who have become important supporting characters to her story over the course of 50 issues. Nakia, Mike, and Zoe may not be on the same level as a Bucky Barns, Harry Osborn, or Pepper Potts, but they bring something important to Kamala's persona and not just because they also happen to be teenage girls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Every superhero, especially the ones still in high school, goes through their share of hardship and melodrama. Being a teenager is hard enough, but being a hero on top of that just compounds every issue. The weight of that stress gets to Kamala more than once over the course of 50 issues. The past several issues really add to the strain by including romantic issues with her long-time friend turned love interest, Bruno. That gives a non-superhero gathering with her female friends a sense of urgency.<br />
<br />
Beyond simply enjoying some sense of normalcy, it gives Kamala a moment to reflect and even lament a little. Wilson conveys the impression that Kamala needs that cathartic moment and she needs the support of her friends. Many heroes either struggle to make that effort with their allies or just never get the opportunity. It has the potential to be therapeutic for Kamala. Unfortunately, complications emerge, but in a way that's both entertaining and reflective of why <i>Ms. Marvel</i> is such an endearing story.<br />
<br />
Even in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by friends and her mother's cooking, Kamala ends up having to be Ms. Marvel for multiple conflicts over the course of the night. These conflicts range from dealing with an angry Inhuman to teaming up with Miles Morales to chasing two teleporting animals through an alien planet. It never gets too dire. Some of the plots are downright cartoonish, but they maintain an appropriate undertone.<br />
<br />
Kamala makes clear from the beginning that she wants to have one night where she doesn't have to be a hero, but she keeps getting pulled back into it due to forces beyond her control. The responsibilities of being a hero don't leave her, no matter how much she tries to catch her breath. She still never hesitates to act heroic, either. She doesn't even whine about it, which already makes her more mature than Peter Parker ever was at her age.<br />
<br />
While some of these heroic efforts frustrate her, they also result in moments that demonstrate why Ms. Marvel is a lovable character who's worth rooting for. She's not just the kind of hero who fights villains and occasionally crosses paths with giant teleporting dogs. She's someone who tries to overcome a struggle with tactics that don't just involve punching things with an oversized fist. They don't involve comedic wisecracks, either. Again, she several steps ahead of Peter Parker in that respect.<br />
<br />
Like Superman and other heroes that embody an ideal, Kamala will actually sit down with someone and talk to them before they descend into villainy on par with the Red Skull. She'll try to connect with them on a personal level. She'll make a genuine effort to help them and it always comes off as sincere. Kamala isn't the kind of person who just tells people what they want to hear so they'll stop smashing things. She genuinely cares. At a time when every other superhero seems jaded after one too many battles with Hydra, it helps her stand out.<br />
<br />
These moments do plenty to derail Kamala's efforts to have a simple slumber party with her friends, but they never complicate the overall story. It remains remarkably concise, creating an over-arching theme around the current state of Kamala's struggle. She's a hero and a teenage girl. Her efforts to balance that have a lot of room for improvement. Throughout the story, there's a sense that she doesn't improve as she could have, but she still does more than most superheroes and teenagers, for that matter.<br />
<br />
It culminates in a moment where Kamala decides to throw another complication into her superhero/teenage life. She takes a chance that most teenage heroes avoid in hopes of regaining some semblance of balance. The results aren't too surprising, given the strength and competence of Kamala's cast, but they're still satisfying. There's a sense that this is another defining moment for a young hero.<br />
<br />
<i>Ms. Marvel #31</i> doesn't attempt to reinvent Kamala Khan or redefine her identity as a hero. She's still the same lovable character she was before she got her powers. She's still growing and has plenty of room evolve, but her accomplishments over the course of 50 issues are still astonishing on multiple levels. That kind of achievement is certainly worth celebrating. A single slumber party may not entirely do it justice, but it's a good start.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Final Score: 8 out of 10</b></u></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-51109526550361656432018-06-22T05:38:00.000-04:002018-06-22T05:38:04.581-04:00X-men Supreme Issue 170: High Evolution Part 2 is LIVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Another monumental upheaval has descended upon the world of X-men Supreme. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> is back and he has the High Evolutionary as an ally. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>
and his X-men are still more divided than they’ve ever been. Every now
and then, this fanfiction series undergoes some dramatic changes. I
don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> arc will bring the biggest changes to date.<br />
<br />
It’s the culmination of a story I set out to tell after the events of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v6i148.php">X-men Supreme Issue 148: New Divide</a>.
I knew at the time that I was taking a chance. If you’ve been following
the X-men comics, then you understand why my timing couldn’t have been
worse. Just as the X-men are coming together again in the comics, I
throw a huge schism into the mix within this fanfiction series. I would
even argue it’s a bigger schism than the one <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/wolverine.php">Wolverine</a> had in the comics. By making it between <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a>, the emotions are that much higher and the choices are that much harder.<br />
<br />
The division has caused so much tension and strain
throughout X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided. It’s not just
between <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Professor Xavier</a> either. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/jean_grey.php">Jean Grey</a> has to deal with her former lover opposing the X-men. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/rogue.php">Rogue</a> has to deal with <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/nightcrawler.php">Nightcrawler</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/mystique.php">Mystique</a> being on another team. Then, there’s the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/scarlet_witch.php">Scarlet Witch’s</a> unexpected role. To say there has been plenty of tension would be a gross understatement.<br />
<br />
It’s been building steadily through arcs like <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i155.php">Drug War</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a>. With every triumph and failure, the strain between the X-men and X-Force grows. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/cyclops.php">Cyclops</a> is feeling it. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/xavier.php">Charles Xavier</a> is feeling it. <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/robert_kelly.php">President Kelly</a> and <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/general_grimshaw.php">General Grimshaw</a> are feeling it too and they’re margin for error has effectively vanished. In other words, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> couldn’t have picked a better time to return to the world of X-men Supreme.<br />
<br />
He returns to a world that is beleaguered and broken, especially after the events of <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i162.php">Crimes Against Inhumanity</a>.
Nobody feels safe anymore. Humans and mutants alike are tired of all
the conflict. Anyone offering a better way is bound to get attention and
<a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> has shown many times before that he’s not afraid to make a statement. The <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a>
arc began with him announcing to the world his plans for Asteroid M.
The impact of that announcement is just starting to unfold.<br />
<br />
Beyond just acting as a culmination of X-men Supreme Volume 7: United and Divided, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a> is also <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto’s</a>
ultimate endgame. He’s had a vision in place since X-men Supreme
Volume 1: Mutant Revolution. Despite all the failures and mishaps along
the way, from <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v1i17.php">Uprising</a> to the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v4i84.php">Cambrian Explosion</a>, <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a>
has never waned in his vision. He’s going to see it through this time.
Humans and mutants alike are going to feel it and that begins in this
issue.<br />
<h2 align="center">
<a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i170.php"><b>X-men Supreme Issue 170: High Evolution Part 2</b></a></h2>
This is probably the most excited I’ve been about an arc I did my own version of the <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v3i63.php">Phoenix Saga</a>
back during X-men Supreme Volume 3: Ashes of Hope. Building this
fanfiction series in a way that allows me to tell stories on this scale
gives me an opportunity to tell an X-men story that has a special
impact. It’s not enough to just pit the X-men against <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/magneto.php">Magneto</a> again. It has to have real dramatic stakes and that’s what I’m hoping to achieve with <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/v7i169.php">High Evolution</a>.<br />
<br />
For those who have been following this fanfiction series, I hope you’ve
enjoyed the long and arduous process of pursuing that goal. I’ve every
intention of making this arc the best to date for X-men Supreme. As
always, I urge everyone to provide feedback on this and every other
aspect of this fanfiction series. Either <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/comments.php?write=v7i170">post your comments directly in the issue</a> or <a href="http://www.xmen-supreme.com/contact.php">contact me</a>
directly. Either way is fine as long as you review. I’m always happy
to chat X-men. Until next time, take care and best wishes. Xcelsior!<br />
<br />
JackJack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1917870048446264335.post-45386994510878821762018-06-21T17:44:00.002-04:002018-06-21T17:44:12.108-04:00Misguided Matrimonial Bait-and-Switch: X-men Gold #30The following is my review of<i> X-men Gold #30,</i> which was posted on <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/x-men-gold-30-2579820298.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">PopMatters.com</span></a>.<br />
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A superhero wedding is only as successful as the journey that leads to it. For some iconic romances, that fateful walk down the aisle is a matter of inevitability. Couples like Cyclops and Jean Grey, Reed Richards and Sue Storm, and Superman and Lois Lane reflect the ideals of star-crossed lovers. No matter what comes between them, be it death, retcons, or reboots, they always find a way back to one another. Their love may as well be as constant as the rising sun or Dr. Doom's ego.<br />
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For that reason, though, the wedding of Kitty Pryde and Colossus brings something unique to the trope of superhero nuptials. Theirs is a romance that didn't rely on destiny. They have to put effort into making their relationship work, by default. They overcome their share of obstacles without the luxury of being one of those comic book power couples. Those obstacles include death, being trapped in a giant space bullet, and multiple romantic entanglements. To say Kitty and Colossus have a lot of forces working against them is like saying the Hulk gets moody ever now and then.<br />
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Despite all those forces, Kitty and Colossus attempt to achieve the same romantic pinnacle as other iconic couples. Since <i>X-men Gold</i> began under Marc Guggenheim, the complications that frequently drive these two apart are steadily mended through an emotional, but compelling journey. In <i>X-men Gold #30</i>, they're finally set to complete that journey.<br />
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At least, that's how this big event is presented, both with the cover of the issue and the various issues that led up to it. The actual substance of this momentous affair is unexpected in its results and not necessarily in a good way. In fact, the events that play out are downright damaging. Even though a well-known X-men couple does get married, the moment ultimately comes off as empty and dispassionate.<br />
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That outcome is pretty jarring. Guggenheim borrows greatly from past weddings, going so far as to mention how close the ceremony is to the location of Cyclops and Jean Grey's wedding. Kitty and Colossus have everyone in the team supporting them. There aren't any ominous warnings about how their marriage will lead to a dystopian future. There aren't even any clones, Skrull agents, Legacy Virus outbreaks, or Sentinel attacks to disrupt the affair. There is nothing preventing this long-time couple from tying the knot.<br />
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It still doesn't happen, though. After all the love, support, and encouragement the X-men give the long-time lovers, Kitty gets cold feet and at the last possible second, no less. It's one thing for a bride to call the wedding off on the ride to the ceremony. Kitty actually waits until she's wearing her dress, down the aisle, in front of all her friends, and about to receive her wedding ring from Colossus.<br />
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Beyond turning a joyous occasion into a public spectacle of heartbreak, it paints Kitty Pryde as callous, indecisive, and emotionally inept. Considering that she's also the leader of the X-men, those kinds of deficiencies just don't make sense. Kitty's actions completely upend the over-arching story that has been unfolding between her and Colossus since the beginning of <i>X-men Gold</i>. It gives the impression that all the heartfelt moments they shared, all the drama that led up the proposal, and all the challenges they overcame to make it to this point carried little emotional weight.<br />
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It's one thing for a romance to go too fast and burn out. Kitty and Colossus aren't that kind of romance, though. They have a rich history together that leaves little ambiguity to the sincerity of their feelings for one another. They don't have the same excuses as most couples, superhero or otherwise. They didn't go too fast and their love never comes off as shallow. However, Kitty still finds an excuse to call it off and it's not a good one.<br />
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The reasons she gives Colossus are crass and impersonal. They are the kinds of musings that can easily be repeated by any bride that ever got cold feet and it would make just as much sense. Nothing about her decision for stopping the nuptials is specific to her and Colossus' relationship. Considering that she's the one who proposed to Colossus in the first place, it just makes Kitty out to be even more callous, if not downright dishonest.<br />
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It's not just a weak excuse to stop a wedding and irreparably undermine a long-standing relationship within the X-men mythos. It sends a message that every romance, even those involving superheroes, is too hard for anyone to make work and isn't worth trying. It's not enough to love someone. Even wanting to marry them to the point of planning a wedding isn't sufficient. There are just too many forces working against a couple seeking marriage and it just isn't worth risking, as though love and commitment are somehow more dangerous than an attack by Apocalypse.<br />
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If <i>X-men Gold #30</i> had ended on that solemn note, it may still work because it reflects the precious rarity of iconic romances that make it to the altar. It's a depressing message, but one that carries enough weight to have an impact. However, given all the build-up and festivities surrounding this wedding, there's a sense that someone has to get married to salvage the moment. That's where Rogue and Gambit come in.<br />
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It's quite possibly the greatest bait-and-switch in the history of comics, turning the marriage of Kitty Pryde and Colossus into the marriage of Rogue and Gambit. While Rogue and Gambit are another one of those iconic X-men romances that overcome a great many obstacles, theirs is a romance that just began rebuilding itself in the pages of Kelly Thompson's <i>Rogue and Gambit</i> series. Instead of continuing that process, like Kitty and Colossus attempted in <i>X-men Gold</i>, they just skip right to the part where they get married.<br />
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While that may overjoy fans of the couple, this twist undermines that relationship almost as much. One couple can't go through with the wedding, despite all the planning and effort that went into it. Another, however, just randomly decides to do it on the spot, as though one couple is interchangeable with the other. It's like romances are TV dinners bought in bulk. If one doesn't turn out well, then another one is just as good.<br />
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There's no denying that superhero romances are wrought with melodrama and very few end in a successful marriage. That's exactly what makes them so noteworthy, though. <i>X-men Gold #30</i> initially sends that message to some extent, but undercuts it by treating it as something any couple can do on a whim. It turns romance into a gimmick rather than a part of the ongoing story between characters and it's hard to have any emotional stakes in a gimmick.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Final Score: 3 out of 10</b></u></span></div>
Jack Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929572842990203873noreply@blogger.com0